THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


,,<r*C 


• 


OUR  RULERS  AND 

OB, 

OUTLINES 

OP  THB 

UNITED  STATES  GOVERNMENT; 


ITS 


ORIGIN,    BRANCHES,   DEPARTMENTS,    INSTITUTIONS, 
OFFICERS,   AND   MODES   OF   OPERATION. 


BT 

ANSON    WILLIS. 

SECOND   EDITION,   REVISED   AND   ENLARGED. 

NEW    YORK: 
N.  TIBBALS  &  CO.,  37  PARK  ROW. 

PHILADELPHIA: 

PARMELEE  &  CO.,  738  SANSOM  ST. 
1 363. 


Entered,  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1868,  by 

ANSON  WILLIS, 

to  the  Clerk's  office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Southern  District  of 
New  York. 


tJK 


JFTJWPTW. 


THEEE  is  no  sentiment  that  ever  gained  more  universal 
acceptance  among  the  people  of  this  country,  than  that 
contained  in  the  following  words,  "  If  our  form  of  govern- 
ment can  be  preserved,  it  must  be  done  by  the  intelli- 
gence and  virtue  of  the  people." 

Few,  if  any,  have  ever  gainsaid  this  proposition,  or 
doubted  its  truth ;  yet  many  have  doubted  the  perma- 
nence of  our  institutions ;  and  these  doubts  arise  from 
their  lack  of  confidence  in  the  intelligence  and  rectitude 
of  a  majority  of  the  people. 

These  fears  are  not  entirely  groundless,  in  view  of  the 
common  rule  of  judging  the  future  by  the  past;  for  every 
observer  of  the  political  actions  of  our  people,  knows  that 
many  things  have  been  done  by  parties  and  individuals, 
that  demonstrate  the  lamentable  destitution  of  one,  if  not 

»50283 


2  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT* 

both  these  elements  of  safety.  Some  have  intelligence 
but  very  little  virtue, — others  have  virtue  but  very  little 
intelligence,  and  some  have  neither.  Now  when  either  of 
these  classes,  or  all  of  them  combined,  bear  rule,  mischief 
must  follow,  and  a  complete  overthrow  may  be  the  result. 

A  general  knowledge  of  the  principles  and  operations 
of  our  government,  is  a  part — but  by  no  means  all — of 
that  intelligence  which  is  so  universally  admitted  to  be 
necessary  to  the  preservation  of  it. 

But  it  is  no  easy  task  for  a  young  man  to  gain  such  an 
understanding  of  these  things,  as  will  qualify  him  to  act 
his  part  well,  when  he  arrives  at  the  age  which  allows  him 
to  enter  upon  his  duties  as  a  citizen  of  the  republic,  to 
hold, — it  may  be, — official  positions  in  it,  or  at  least  to 
vote  understandingly  for  those  who  shall  administer  its 
affairs. 

And  it  is  matter  of  some  surprise  that  no  one  has  taken 
it  in  hand  long  before  this,  to  write  something  of  the  na- 
ture of  a  text  book,  in  which  these  things  may  be  found 
arranged  and  explained,  in  so  simple  and  plain  a  form,  as 
to  give  the  reader  a  general  and  comprehensive  idea  of  the 
structure,  institutions,  and  plan  of  operating  the  goveni- 
ment  under  which  he  lives.  In  no  country  is  such  know- 
ledge of  so  great  importance  as  in  ours,  where  every  citi- 
zen may  make  his  influence  felt  in  the  administration  of 


INTRODUCTION.  3 

public  affairs,  and  where  that  influence  always  tells  for 
good  or  evil  Our  education  is  very  deficient  if  it  does 
not  embrace  a  knowledge  of  the  scheme  of  government ; 
and  it  seems  to  us  that  it  is  as  proper  a  subject  for  the  in- 
struction of  the  school-room  as  many  others  which  are 
taught  there.  But  if  this  is  neglected,  certainly  the  young 
man  ought  not  to  be  left  to  pick  up  this  knowledge,  here 
a  little  and  there  a  little,  in  detached  portions,  as  he  may 
chance  to  find  it  scattered  through  books,  newspapers, 
public  speeches  and  casual  conversations ;  yet  these  are 
the  only  sources  from  which  nine-tenths  of  the  people  have 
gained  all  they  know  of  the  political  affairs  of  their  own 
country ;  and  what  is  thus  gained  is  rarely  acquired  till 
middle  life,  and  in  a  majority  of  cases  not  until  a  later 
period. 

By  these  reasons  we  have  been  prompted  to  write  the 
book  before  you,  in  order  to  place  these  matters,  in  com- 
pact and  methodical  form,  within  the  reach  of  every  one 
who  desires  to  understand  them.  We  have  aimed 
throughout  at  plainness  and  perspicuity ;  not  avoiding  re- 
petition whenever  the  subject  treated  of  could  be  made 
plainer  by  its  use.  Statements  will  be  found  in  one  con- 
nection, and  again  hi  another,  whenever  the  fact  stated 
appeared  to  be  especially  applicable  to  the  subject  under 
consideration. 


4  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

We  think  that  an  attentive  perusal  of  these  Chapters 
will  give  the  reader  a  correct  idea  of  the  organization  and 
mode  of  operating  the  United  States  Government,  together 
with  an  insight  into  the  machinery  by  which  it  is  done. 
"When  this  is  acquired,  it  becomes  an  easy  task  to  under- 
stand the  government  of  the  thirty-seven  States  which 
compose  one  great  Confederated  Union,  and  to  compre1 
hend  the  fact  that  every  person  in  the  United  States  lives 
under  two  separate  and  distinct  governments,  and  is 
amenable  to  two  different  codes  of  laws ;  first,  that  of  the 
State  in  which  he  resides,  and  secojid,  that  of  the  United 
States,  commonly  termed  the  General  Government.  Much 
in  both  is  analogous,  especially  the  legislative  and  judicial 
proceedings.  The  wisdom  of  the  framers  of  our  Constitu- 
tion adjusted  these  IMPERII  ix  IMPEKIO — governments 
within  a  government,  so  that  all  work  harmoniously,  and 
with  very  little  friction,  or  conflict  of  authority. 

"VVe  have  not  treated  of  the  State  governments,  nor 
could  we  have  done  so  without  going  far  beyond  the  limits 
assigned  to  this  work.  Each  State  is  noticed,  however,  in 
some  remarks,  as  to  the  time  of  its  entrance  into  the^ 
Union,  its  size,  population,  circuits  and  districts,  as  pre- 
scribed by  the  laws  of  Congress.  But  this  is  to  show 
their  relations  to  the  entire  Union,  and  the  relative  influ- 
ence and  power  they  have  as  various  parts  of  one  great 
whole. 


CONTENTS. 


Page 

Academy,  Military 237 

Naval 240 

Admiralty  and  Maritime  Jurisdiction 101 

Agriculture,  Bureau  of 292 

Alabama,  State  of- 327 

Ambassadors  and  Foreign  Ministers 160 

Arkansas,  State  of- 329 

Armories  and  Arsenals 242 

Army  and  Navy 244 

Articles  of  War 250 

Assay  Office 231 

Attorney  General  U.  S. 59 

Attornies,  District 93 

Banks,  National-  • 233 

Bonds 189 

Buildings,  Public  and  Commissioner  of 282 

Cabinet,  the 62 

California,  State  of 330 

Census 119 

Chaplains 253 

Chronology  of  the  U.  S. 461 

Clerk  of  the  House  of  Rep.  and  Sec.  of  the  Senate .  •  107 

Coast  Survey 258 

Columbia,  District  of- 322 

Commissioners • 304 

Congress 16 

"      Acts  of. 110 

Congressmen 103 

Congressional  Districts 105 


CONTENTS. 

Pag. 

Connecticut,  State  of 332 

Constitution,  The 10  and  415 

Amendments  of 430 

Consuls 164 

Copy  Rights 269 

Courts,  The  United  States 77 

Court,  The  United  States  Supreme 78 

Courts,  The  Circuit '. 83 

The  District 87 

Court  of  Claims 90 

Custom  Houses  and  Custom  House  Officers 202 

Cutters,  Revenue 225 

Declaration  of  Independence 409 

Delaware,  State  of 334 

Duties  and  Tariffs 219 

Elections 137 

Presidential 141 

Electors 157 

Flag  of  the  United  States 124 

Florida  State  of- 336 

Georgia,  State  of 337 

Hospitals  and  Asylums 276 

Illinois,  State  of 339 

Impeachment 312 

Internal  Revenue 198 

Indians 294 

Indian  Territory 395 

Indiana,  State  of 340 

Iowa,  State  of- 342 

Jury,  Grand 97 

Kansas,  State  of 343 

Kentucky,  State  of- 344 

Lands,  the  Public 209 

Land  Warrants,  and  Bounty  Lands 117 


CONTENTS.  Hi 

Page 

Laws  of  the  United  States 126 

Letters  of  Marque  and  Reprisal 181 

Library,  Congressional  and  Law 284 

Light  Houses,  Buoys  and  Beacons 260 

Louisiana,  State  of- 346 

Maine,  State  of 348 

Marshals,  United  States 95 

Maryland,  State  of- 350 

Massachusetts,  State  of. 352 

Mason  and  Dixon's  Line 316 

Michigan,  State  of 354 

Minnesota,  State  of 355 

Mint 227 

Mississippi,  State  of. 357 

Missouri,  State  of- 359 

Missouri  Compromise 314 

Naturalization  Laws 131 

Neutrality  Laws 135 

Nebraska,  State  of- 360 

New  Hampshire,  State  of 361 

New  Jersey,  State  of- 363 

New  York,  State  of 365 

North  Carolina,  State  of- 368 

Nevada,  State  of 370 

Oaths 192 

Observatory,  the  Naval 255 

Ohio,  State  of. 371 

Oregon,  State  of 373 

Patent  Rights,  Patent  Office,  and  Com.  of  Patents- •• -265 

Pennsylvania,  State  of 374 

Pensions,  Pension  Office,  and  Com.  of  Pensions 272 

Passports 299 

Political  Divisions 319 

Post  Office,  Post  Office  Department,  Post  Master  Gen-  -  -52 

President,  The 23 

The  Vice 28 

Printing  Office,  The  Government 287 


v  CONTENTS. 

Pag, 

Prisons  290 

Proclamations 308 

Ratio  of  Representation 113 

Reports 302 

Religion 306 

Revenue 196 

Internal 198 

Register,  the  Official 286 

Rhode  Island,  the  State  of 376 

Rules  of  the  House  of  Representatives 435 

Seals 186 

Secretary  of  State,  and  the  State  Department 31 

"        of  Treasury  and  36 

of  War  and  "    '     41 

of  Navy  and  "         45 

of  the  Interior  and  52 

Smithsonian  Institution 263 

South  Carolina,  State  of 378 

Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives 108 

Suffrage 183 

States 324 

Tennessee,  State  of 380 

Territories 392 

Texas,  State  of 382 

Tonnage 224 

Treaties 167 

Extradition 177 

Treason 310 

United  States,  the 5 

Vermont,  State  of 384 

Virginia,  State  of 386 

Wars  of  the  United  States 398 

West  Virginia,  State  of 389 

Wisconsin,  State  of 391 


CHAPTER  I. 
The    United   States. 

ON  the  fourth  day  of  July,  1776,  a  mimber  of  delegates 
from  thirteen  British  Colonies  in  North  America,  assem- 
bled together  in  Philadelphia,  and  after  some  deliberation 
upon  the  oppression  and  wrongs  which  the  mother  country 
had  for  many  years  inflicted,  drew  up  and  signed  a  paper, 
in  which  they  enumerated  the  various  acts  of  the  King  of 
England,  George  the  Third,  by  which  he  and  his  ministers 
had  deprived  the  people  of  these  Colonies  of  their  just 
rights,  and  oppressed  them  by  acts  of  tyranny  and  injus- 
tice. They  declared  that  these  acts  had  been  continued 
lot  several  years,  that  they  had  become  intolerable,  and 
that  the  King  and  his  ministers  would  neither  hear  their 
just  complaints,  listen  to  their  remonstrances,  nor  regard 
their  petitions  for  redress ;  and  that  all  their  acts  combin- 
ed, constituted  a  just  cause  for  the  Colonies  to  rebel  against 
the  authority  of  England,  and  to  maintain  their  rights  by 
force  of  arms,  as  they  found  it  impossible  to  obtain  them 
in  any  other  way.  They  also  declared  that  a  Sovereign 
who  would  so  rule  and  govern  his  subjects  was  utterly  un- 
worthy to  rule  over  them,  and  that  they  had  the  right  to 
throw  off  his  authority  and  to  establish  a  government  for 
themselves.  These  declarations  they  printed,  and  sent 
forth  to  the  world  on  the  day  before  named,  in  justifica- 


6  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

tion  of  the  accompanying  DECLARATION  OF  INDEPENDENCE  ; 
after  this  they  positively  refused  any  further  obedience  to 
him  or  to  the  laws  of  England.  The  4th  of  July  1776,  has 
for  this  reason  been  styled  the  birth-day  of  our  nation,  and 
has  since  been  celebrated  as  such  on  every  annual  return 
of  it.  For  seven  years  after  this  event,  the  people  under- 
went a  hard  and  bloody  struggle  to  maintain  the  position 
they  had  taken;  nor  was  it  until  the  year  1783,  that  our 
independence  was  acknowledged  by  England,  or  that  we 
were  recognized  by  other  governments  as  one  among  the 
family  of  nations.  Not  until  1789,  did  the  people  of  these 
Colonies,  [now  States]  organize  a  government,  and  take 
rank  among  the  other  governments  of  the  world,  with  all 
the  attributes,  powers  and  rights  of  a  distinct  political 
power. 

Here  are  three  events : — First,  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence ; — Second,  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war ; 
and  Third,  the  Inauguration  of  the  United  States  Govern- 
ment. 

It  is  now  but  ninety  years  since  the  first,  eighty-three 
since  the  second,  and  seventy-seven  since  the  third.  The 
longest  period  is  less  than  a  century,  and  is  but  as  an  hour 
in  the  world's  history. 

And  now,  without  tracing  the  successive  steps  by  which 
this  nation  has  advanced  from  thirteen  feeble  Colonies  to 
thirty-seven  States,  [some  of  which  have  more  wealth, 
population,  and  power,  than  the  whole  thirteen  had  in 
1776,]  and  from  less  than  four,  to  thirty-five  millions  of 
people,  with  equally  rapid  strides  in  the  arts,  sciences, 
education,  inventions  and  general  progress,  no  thought- 
fill  mind  can  refrain  from  looking  into  the  causes  of  such 
unprecedented  advancement.  A  few  feeble  Colonial  sub- 
jects, in  less  than  a  century,  becoming  one  cf  the  great 
powers  of  the  world,  v.  itli  the  prospect  of  attaining  tiic- 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  7 

highest  place  among  the  nations,  in  much  less  time  than  it 
has  taken  them  to  gain  their  present  position. 

That  we  have  a  very  extensive  territory  is  true ;  that 
we  have  a  diversified  climate,  a  productive  soil,  with  many 
long  and  navigable  rivers  on  which  to  float  our  produc- 
tions to  market,  and  that  we  have  inexhaustible  mines  of 
coal  and  minerals  of  almost  every  kind,  including  gold 
and  silver,  is  true.  But  we  might  have  all  these,  and  still 
remain  an  insignificant  people  among  the  families  of  the 
earth,  for  all  these  have  been  possessed  by  nations  who 
have  retrograded  instead  of  advanced. 

In  our  case,  a  wise,  just  and  liberal  government  has  been 
the  principal  cause  of  our  progress,  and  our  present  and 
prospective  greatness. 

No  human  government  is  perfect,  neither  can  exact  and 
equal  justice  be  done  in  every  case  by  human  laws.  But 
the  scope  and  design  of  our  legislation  and  jurisprudence  is 
to  dispense  justice  to  all,  to  place  all  on  an  equality  before 
the  laws,  and  to  give  the  same  rights  to  the  rich  and  to 
the  poor.  No  privileged  class  is  known  to  our  laws,  and 
the  lowest  may  aspire  to  the  highest  places  of  distinction 
and  honor;  many  have  done  so,  and  have  reached  the 
most  exalted  positions.  The  fullest  religious  liberty  is 
granted  to  all;  every  man  may  worship  as  he  pleases, 
when  and  where  he  pleases,  without  molestation  or  fear. 
He  is  not  as  in  many  other  countries  taxed  to  support  a 
church  established  by  law.  He  may  pay  for  religious  pur- 
poses as  much  or  as  little  as  he  pleases,  and  to  any  church 
he  prefers,  or  he  may  pay  nothing,  and  no  one  can  call  him 
to  account  or  use  any  compulsion  whatever  in  this  matter. 

Every  man  has  a  vote  for  the  choice  of  his  rulers,  and 
through  his  representatives  a  voice  in  making  the  laws  by 
which  he  is  governed. 

As  to  his  business  or  calling,  he  may  do  that  which  best 


8  OUTLINES  OF  TJ.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

suits  his  interests  or  his  tastes.  He  may  go  when  or  where 
he  desires,  he  may  stay  in  the  country  or  leave  it  without 
restraint  or  hindrance ;  in  short,  he  may  do  whatsoever 
seemeth  good  to  him,  provided  he  does  iiot  infringe  on  the 
rights  of  others. 

To  this  liberty,  to  these  equal  rights,  privileges  and  ad- 
vantages do  we  attribute  our  rapid  growth  and  power. 
The  advantages  and  benefits  of  so  wise,  so  liberal  and  so 
beneficent  a  government  are  not  unknown  to  the  people  of 
other  countries  where  they  do  not  enjoy  so  much  freedom ; 
and  this  accounts  for  the  wonderful  immigration  to  the 
United  States  from  nearly  every  country  in  Europe.  This 
flow  has  continued  for  more  than  three  quarters  of  a  cen- 
tury, and  is  still  unabated.  It  has  added  many  millions  to 
the  natural  increase  of  our  population,  while  very  few  of 
our  own  people  ever  leave  their  own  country  with  the  hope 
of  bettering  their  condition,  or  of  finding  a  government 
under  which  they  can  enjoy  more  liberty  or  better  protec- 
tion. To  gain  a  clearer  conception  of  the  intimate  connec- 
tion between  a  good  government  and  the  prosperity  of  a 
country,  let  us,  for  example,  place  Mexico  in  contrast  with 
the  United  States.  Mexico  was  settled  long  before  the 
United  States,  and  in  climate  and  mineral  wealth  has  the 
advantage  of  us ;  yet  the  ever  unsettled  condition  of  its 
government,  together  with  intolerance  of  any  but  the 
Catholic  religion,  has  prevented  any  increase  of  population 
or  any  advancement  in  any  thing  which  gives  a  nation  re- 
spectability, greatness  or  power. 

Let  us  draw  another  contrast  by  considering  Ireland. 
A.i  oppressive  government  has  diminished  the  population, 
prevented  any  advancement,  and  impoverished  the  coun- 
trj .  "We  might  draw  many  such  contrasts  between  the 
United  States  arid  other  countries  in  Europe,  Asia,  Africa, 


THE  UNITED  STATES.  » 

and  South  America,  which  would  convince  any  one  who 
has  the  power  to  trace  causes  to  effects,  and  effects  to 
causes,  that  a  just  and  liberal  government  is  an  essential 
condition  upon  which  the  prosperity  of  any  country  de- 
pends. 

But  after  all  the  good  we  find  inhering  in  our  republi- 
can institutions,  we  have  to  admit  that  some  things  are 
wrong ;  that  like  all  other  human  institutions,  errors  and 
imperfections  are  found  in  them.  Yet  what  friend  to  hu- 
manity would  raise  an  impious  hand  to  overthrow  that  in 
which  so  much  good  is  found  ?  Let  him  rather  labor  to 
preserve  the  good,  and  to  correct  the  remaining  evil. 
Neither  our  constitution  nor  our  laws  are  like  the  laws  of 
the  Medes  and  Persians,  which  change  not ;  but  may  bo 
altered  whenever  a  majority  of  the  people  desire  it. 

And  if  our  people  grow  in  intelligence,  wisdom,  and 
patriotism,  is  it  not  to  be  hoped  that  they  will  preserve 
what  is  good,  correct  what  is  wrong,  and  thus  perfect  and 
perpetuate  our  government  until  it  shall  become  a  model 
worthy  of  imitation  by  the  people  and  nations  of  the  whole 
earth. 

A* 


10  OUTLINES  OF  U.  a.  GOVEliXMENT. 


CHAPTER  IL. 
The  Constitution. 

After  the  Seven  Years'  War,  spoken  of  in  the  foregoing 
Chapter,  (generally  known  by  the  name  of  the  Revolution- 
ary War,)  was  over  and  peace  restored,  the  people  found 
themselves  without  any  government,  or  if  the  Confederation 
under  which  the  Colonies  had  managed  to  act  together 
during  the  war,  might  be  called  a  government,  it  was 
certainly  inadequate  to  the  wants  of  a  people  who  had  just 
become  independent ;  and  who  needed  a  stronger  bond  of 
union  than  that  which  had  held  them  together  during  the 
struggle  for  liberty,  when  a  common  danger  and  a  com- 
mon enemy  served  as  a  bond  during  their  perilous  condi- 
tion. To  supply  this  want  a  convention  from  all  the  States 
was  called  together  to  draw  up  a  Constitution,  which 
should  form  such  a  union,  and  at  the  same  time  be  a  basis 
which  would  support  a  well  organized  government.  This 
convention  met  and  performed  the  task  assigned.  It 
framed  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  about  which 
we  subjoin  the  following  remarks. 

1.  The  Constitution  of  the  United  States  was  finished 
and  signed  on  the  17th  day  of  September,  1787.  It  was 
framed  by  a  convention  of  the  greatest  and  wisest  men  in 
the  nation  at  that  time,  or  perhaps  at  any  time.  They  were 
chosen  for  that  express  purpose  and  represented  every 


TJIE    CONSTITUTION.  11 

one  of  the  13  States  excepting  Rhode  Island,  which  had  no 
representation  in  the  convention,  and  sat  several  months 
deliberating  on  the  great  work  before  them.  George 
Washington  was  the  president  of  the  convention ;  and  in 
the  constitution  a  clause  was  inserted  declaring  that  the  rati- 
fication of  it  by  nine  States  should  be  sufficient  to  establish 
its  authority  over  all :  for  although  made  by  the  men 
chosen  for  that  purpose,  it  was  not  considered  binding  up- 
on the  people,  until  it  had  been  sanctioned  by  three-fourths 
of  the  States.  This  was  subsequently  done,  and  the  work 
of  the  convention  became  the  charter  of  our  liberties,  and 
the  great  foundation  stone  of  one  of  the  most  magnificent 
structures  ever  erected  by  the  genius  and  wisdom  of  man. 

2.  The  ratification  of  the  constitution  by  the  several  States 
necessarily  required  time.      Hence  the  government  estab- 
lished by  its  provisions  did  not  go  into  operation  till  March, 
1789.     In  the  mean  tune  General  Washington  had  been 
chosen  the  first  President  of  the  United  States,  and  a  Con- 
gress had  been  elected  in  conformity  with  the  provisions  of 
the  new  and  as  yet  untried  constitution.      The  President  was 
inaugurated,  the  first  Congress  assembled   in  the  City  of 
New  York,  and  the  government  of  the  United  States  was 
put  into  operation. 

3.  Bat  before  the  first  session  of  Congress  closed,  it  was 
thought  by  a  majority  of  the  body,  that  the  constitution 
in  the  shape  in   which  the  convention  had  left  it,  was 
defective,  and  that  there  should  be  several  additions,  or 
amendments  made  to  it.     In  conformity  with  this  opinion 
ten  amendments  were  proposed  and  passed  in  the  manner 
provided  in  the  instrument  itself ;  to  wit,  by  a  vote  of  two- 
thirds  of  both  houses.     These  ten  amendments  were  sub- 
sequently ratified  by  the  requisite  number  of  States  (three- 


12  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

fourths,)  and  became  a  part  of  the  constitution.  In  tho 
same  manner  the  llth  amendment  was  proposed,  passed, 
and  adopted  in  1794,  and  the  12th  in  1803.  From  this 
last  date  the  Constitution  remained  unchanged  until  Janu- 
ary 31 , 1865,  when  the  House  passed  a  resolution  in  favor 
of  another  amendment ,  the  Senate  passed  the  same  resolu- 
tion during  the  previous  session. 

4.  In  order  to  show  more  fully  how  the  Constitution  is 
amended,  and  what  proceedings  are  taken  in  order  to  do  it, 
we  here  insert  the  Resolution,  and  the  subsequent  doings 
of  all  the  parties,  who  must  act  upon  it  to  consummate  the 
proposed   amendments.      This   example   will   show   how 
all  the  amendments  have  been  made,  and  how  others  may 
hereafter  be  made. 

THE    RESOLUTION. 

5.  Resolved  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 
of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled, 
two-thirds  of  both  Houses  concurring,  that  the  following  ar- 
ticle be  proposed  to  the  Legislatures  of  the  several  States 
as  an  amendment  to  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States, 
which  when  ratified  by  three-fourths  of  said  Legislature 
ohall  be  valid    to    all  intents   and  purposes  as  a  part  of 
said  Constitution,  viz.  : 

Article  13.  First,  neither  slavery  nor  involuntary  servi- 
tude, except  as  a  punishment  for  crime  whereof  the  party 
shall  have  been  duly  convicted,  shall  exist  within  the  Uni- 
ted States,  or  any  place  subject  to  their  jurisdiction. 

Second.  Congress  shall  have  power  to  enforce  this  ar- 
ticle by  appropriate  legislation. 

This  as  numbered  above  made  the  l3th  article  of  the 


THE    CONSTITUTION.  13 

amendments,  12  having  been  made  as  before  stated.  [See 
the  Constitution  and  amendments  as  inserted  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  book.] 

6.  After  this  resolution  had  passed  both  Houses  of  Con- 
gress and  after  the  proposed  amendment  had  been  ratified 
by  the  requisite  number  of  States,  the  Secretary  of  State, 
as  the  laws  direct  him  to  do,  caused  the  resolution   and 
the  amendments  to  be  published  in  all  the  States  and  Ter- 
ritories, and  declared  it  to  be  valid  as  a  part  of  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  United  States. 

This  Thirteenth  Article  of  the  amendments  to  the  Con- 
stitution as  it  now  stands,  is  one  which  has  probably  re- 
ceived more  public  attention,  and  caused  more  discussion 
than  any  other  article  in  the  whole  document :  because  by 
it  slavery  in  all  the  dominions  of  the  United  States  has 
been  constitutionally  abolished. 

7.  We  will   make    one  other  remark  in  relation  to  this 
13th  article ;  to  wit,  it  grew  out  of  the  results  of  the  war 
between  the  North  and  South.     President  Lincoln  had  on 
Jan.  1,  1863,   by  virtue  of  his  authority  as  Commander 
in  Chief  of  the  Army  and  Navy  of  the  United  States,  issued 
his  proclamation,  declaring  slavery  to  be  abolished  in  all 
the  States  which   had    seceded  from  the  Union,  but  this 
did  not  touch  slavery  in  the  slave  States  which  had  not 
seceded,  viz. — Kentucky,  Maryland,  Missouri,  Delaware, 
and  West  Virginia.     Moreover  there  were  doubts  as  to  the 
constitutionality  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  act  in  this  respect.     But 
this  amendment  superseded    that    question,  and  made  a 
clean  sweep  of  the  whole  matter,  both  in  the  seceded  and  in 
the  loyal  States. 

8.  The  framers  of  the  Constitution  undoubtedly  borrowed 
many  ideas  incorporated  therein  from  the  Laws  of  England, 
under  which  they  had  formerly  lived;  they  constituted  Con- 


14  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

gress  with  two  Houses,  the  same  as  the  English  Parliament, 
the  House  of  Lords  answering  to  our  Senate,  and  the  House 
of  Commons  to  our  House  of  llepresentatives.  Many 
other  analogies  between  the  two  governments  can  be 
traced. 

9.  But  while  this  is  true,  they  as  studiously  avoided  ev- 
ery thing  in  the  English  laws  which  they  deemed  inconsist- 
ent with  the  principles  of  a  free  republican  government. 

In  article  3,  section  3,  we  find  the  following — 

"  No  attainder  of  treason  shall  work  corruption  of  blood 
or  forfeiture,  except  during  the  life  of  the  person  attaint- 
ed." 

This  is  precisely  the  opposite  of  the  English  law  in  rela- 
tion to  treason  ;  for  when  a  man  is  there  guilty  of  treason, 
his  children  cannot  inherit  the  father's  titles  or  property. 
The  parent  being  corrupted  by  treason  his  children  are  con- 
sidered corrupted  also  ;  this  is  what  is  meant  by  "  corrup- 
tion of  blood"  in  the  language  of  the  Constitution,  It  then 
declared  that  no  such  thing  should  be  allowed  in  the  Uni- 
ted States :  in  other  words,  it  follows  the  law  of  God,  which 
expressly  declares,  "  The  son  shall  not  bear  the  iniquity 
of  the  father,  neither  shall  the  father  bear  the  iniquity  of 
the  son."  Which  do  you  like  best,  the  English  or  the 
American  law  ? 

The  Constitution  of  the  United  States  has  served  in  some 
respects,  as  a  model  for  the  State  Constitutions ;  and  no 
State  would  be  admitted  into  the  Union,  whose  constitu- 
tion contained  any  thing  contrary  to  that  of  the  United 
States.  It  extends  its  authority  over  every  State  and  Ter- 
ritory, restraining  them  from  making  a  constitution,  or 
enacting  any  laws  inconsistent  with  any  of  its  provisions. 
It  is  the  supreme  law  of  the  land.  It  binds  the  Executive, 
the  Legislative  and  the  Judicial  branches  of  the  government 


THE  CONSTITUTION.  15 

as  much  as  the  humblest  individual.  It  should  be  carefully 
read  and  understood  by  every  one  who  lives  under  it,  es- 
pecially by  every  one  who  exercises  the  elective  franchise. 
^t  teaches  us  our  rights,  our  exalted  privileges  and  our  du- 
ties as  citizens  of  the  republic. 

10.  Throughout  our  work,  we  have  so  often  alluded  to 
it  and  its  provisions,  that  we  have  thought  it  advisable  to 
append  the  whole  document  to  this  work,  that  the  reader 
may  at  any  time  turn  to  its  pages,  and  consult  its  provis- 
ions on  any  point  upon  which  he  may  desire  information. 

Read,  learn  and  digest  its  meaning ;  keeping  in  mind 
that  it  is  the  supreme  law  of  the  land.  Its  provisions  are 
binding  upon  every  officer  and  every  citizen ;  upon  Con- 
gress, upon  every  state  legislature,  and  upon  every  court, 
from  the  supreme  court  of  the  United  States  down  to  the 
lowest  state  tribunal.  All  are  bound  to  act,  legislate,  and 
adjudicate  in  conformity  with  the  principles  of  the  Consti- 
tution. 


13  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOV£RNME;\"T. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Congress. 

1,  THE  legislative  branch  of  our  government  is  styled 
Congress ;  in  that  of  England  it  is  denominated  Parlia- 
ment; and  in  that  of  France,  the  Corps  Legislatif.     Our 
Constitution  places  the  power  of  enacting  laws  in  Con- 
gress ;  no  other  branch  of  the  government  can  do  it.     It  is 
emphatically  a  representative  body.     Its  members  repre- 
sent the  people,  and  are  supposed  to  do  just  what  the  en- 
tire mass  of  the  people  would  do,  if  it  were  practicable  for 
them  to  assemble  in  one  great  body,  and  there  to  discuss, 
and   then  pass  the  laws  by  which  they  are  willing  to  be 
governed. 

2.  It  consists  of  two  parts,  or  Houses,  as  these  parts  are 
called ;  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives.*     Both 
assemble  at  the  same  time,  in  Washington,  on  the  first 
Monday  of  December  in  each  year,  for  the  transaction  of 
business.     The  meeting  at  this  time  is  called  the  regular 
session ; — regular,  to   distinguish   it   from  extra  sessions 
which  the  President  may  call  if  he  deems  it  necessary. 
This  division  of  the  National  Legislature  into  two  branches 
was  undoubtedly  borrowed  from  the  English  government ; 
for  the  law-making  power  in  England  is  divided  into  two 

*  The  Legislatures  of  all  the  States  and  Territories  are  formed 
after  the  model  of  Congress ;  that  is,  all  have  a  Senate  and  a  lower 
House,  called  in  sonic  States  by  one  name,  and  in  others  by  another, 
but  all  meaning  the  lower  branch  of  the  legislative  body. 


CONGRESS.  17 

branches ;  the  House  of  Lords,  answering  to  our  Senate, 
and  the  House  of  Commons,  quite  analagous  to  our  House 
of  Representatives.  Indeed  it  was  quite  natural  for  the 
framers  of  our  government  to  imitate  that  of  the  English. 
Anterior  to  the  revolution,  which  separated  us  from 
England,  our  fathers  had  lived  under  its  institutions  and 
laws,  many  of  which  were  good,  and  were  subsequently 
incorporated  with  the  new  fabric.  Whatever  was  incom- 
patible with  a  republican  form  of  government,  and  that 
equality  of  rights  which  they  determined  to  bestow  upon 
every  citizen,  was  rejected. 

THE    SENATE. 

3.  This  branch  of  the  National  Legislature  is  constitut- 
ed very  differently  from  the  House  of  Representatives.     It 
is  composed  of  two  members  from  each  State,  without  re- 
gard to  the  size  or  population  thereof.     New  York,  now 
the  most  populous  State  in  the  Union,  has  but  two  sena- 
tors in  Congress,  while  the  least  populous  state  has  the 
same  number.     They  are  not  elected  like  the  members  of 
the  lower  House,  by  the  people,  but  by  the  Legislatures  of 
the  respective  States  which  they  represent.     They  are  also 
elected  for  a  longer  term  than  the  members  of  the  House 
of  Representatives ;  a  Senator  is  chosen  for  six  years,  while 
a  Representative  in  the  other  House  is  elected  for  only 
two. 

4.  The  word  Senate  is  derived  from  the  Latin  word 
senatus,  which  signifies  old ;  and  older  men  are  generally 
selected  for  the  Senate  than  for  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives.    Indeed  the  Constitution  declares  that  a  Senator 
shall  be  thirty  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  election,  and 
that  he  must  have  been  a  citizen  of  the  United  States  for 


18  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

nine  years ;  whereas  a  member  of  the  House  is  eligible  at 
the  age  of  twenty-five,  if  he  has  been  a  citizen  seven  years. 

5.  The  Senate,  like  the  House  of  Lords  in  England,  is 
often  styled  the  upper  House ;  while  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, for  the  sake   of  brevity,  is  generally  styled 
"  the  House."    The  Senate  is  considered  the  higher  and 
more  dignified  of  the  two,  because  men  of  age,  talent,  wis- 
dom and  experience  are  generally  selected  for  this  exalted 
position.    Again,  the  Senate  has  powers  which  the  House 
does  not  possess.     When  acting  in  their  legislative  capaci- 
ty, both  have  equal  powers ;  but  the  Senate  in  connection 
with  the  President  has  the  power  to  ratify  treaties.     It 
alone  confirms  or  rejects  the  Presidents'  nominations  to  of- 
fices, and  also  acts  as  a  high  court  to  try  cases  of  impeach- 
ment.    These  important  duties  and  prerogatives  belong 
exclusively  to  the  Senate  without  the  concurrence  of  the 
House.     All  bills,  (the  draft  of  all  laws  when  presented  to 
a  legislative  body  for  its  approval  or  disapproval  are  called 
bills,  excepting  those  for  raising  revenue,)  may  originate 
either  in  the  Senate  or  the  House ;  yet  much  the  larger 
number  of  bills  do  originate  in  the  House,  because  it  has 
about  three  times  the  number  of  members  which  the  Sen- 
ate has,  and  because  the  members  of  the  House  are  more 
immediate  representatives  of  the  people  than  the  Senators. 
A  greater  number  of  the  people  know  them,  and  usually 
send  their  petitions  and  make  their  wants  known  to  them, 
and  from  these  wants  of  the  people,  laws  originate. 

6.  When  the  Senate  convenes  for  the  purpose  of  con- 
sidering the  nominations  made  by  the  President  for  the 
various  offices  to  which  he  has  the  right  of  appointment 
by  and  with  their  consent,  it  is  called  an  executive  session. 
A  vote  of  approval  by  a  majority,  gives  the  consent  of 
this  body ;  not  so,  however,  when  they  vote  upon  the  rati- 


CONGRESS.  19 

fication  of  a  treaty;  for  in  this  case  the  Constitution  re- 
quires a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  all  present.  A  two-thirds 
vote  is  also  necessary  to  give  a  judgment  in  case  of  the 
impeachment  of  any  officer  of  the  government  who  may 
be  arraigned  before  them  for  trial. 

The  Vice  President  is  the  President  of  the  Senate ;  but 
in  case  of  a  vacancy  in  this  office,  it  then  chooses  a  Presi- 
dent from  its  own  members,  as  it  does  its  Secretary  and 
other  subordinate  officers.  We  next  come  to  the 

HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES. 

7.  This  is  often  styled  "  the  lower  House."  It  has  equal 
power  with  the  Senate  in  the  enactment  of  all  laws ;  for 
no  bill  can  become  a  law  unless  it  receives  a  majority  of 
the  votes  of  both  Houses,  and  in  one  particular  it  has  a 
power  which  the  Senate  does  not  possess :  it  has  the  sole 
power  of  impeachment.  "We  have  stated  that  the  Senate 
has  the  power  to  try  impeachments,  but  this  it  never  does 
until  the  House  has  first  impeached  some  officer  of  the 
government  for  an  alleged  crime,  after  which  the  Senate 
resolving  itself  into  a  court,  tries  the  accused  party,  and 
Determines  his  guilt  or  innocence.  The  part  which  the 
House  takes  in  cases  of  impeachment  is  very  analagous  to 
the  action  of  a  grand  jury,  which  does  not  try  the  accused 
party,  but  only  says  after  examining  the  charges,  upon 
what  evidence  it  has,  that  he  or  she  ought  to  be  tried  in  a 
court  of  law — so  with  the  House.  It  declares  that  the  ac- 
cused party  should  have  a  trial  before  the  Senate.  This 
decision  of  the  House  is  denominated  an  impeachment. 

8.  The  members  of  the  Senate,  as  before  stated,  are 
elected  by  the  Legislatures  of  the  respective  States  which 
they  represent ;  but  the  members  of  the  House  are  elected 
by  the  people,  by  popular  vote  as  it  is  commonly  said — 


20  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

for  any  body  in  any  State  may  vote  for  a  member  of  th  j 
House  of  Representatives  who  has  the  right  to  vote  at  all. 
In  the  two  chapters  on  Congressmen  and  Congressional 
Districts,  more  may  be  seen  on  the  subject  of  electing 
members  to  the  lower  House.  After  a  bill  has  passed  one 
House  it  must  be  sent  to  the  other,  where  it  is  referred  to 
a  committee,  reported,  debated,  and  finally  voted  upon 
exactly  as  in  the  other  House. 

9.  But  bills  for  the  purpose  of  raising  revenue  must 
originate  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  never  in   the 
Senate,  although  these  bills,  like  all  others  go  to  the  Sen- 
ate for  its  concurrence,  where  they  may  be  amended  by 
adding  to,  or  striking  out  such  parts  as  are  not  approved. 
No  money  can  be  drawn  out  of  the  Treasury  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  for  any  purpose  whatever,  unless  authorized  and 
appropriated  by  an  act  of  Congress. 

10.  This  is  the  order,  and  these  the  forms  through  which 
every  bill  must  pass  before  it  becomes  a  law,  and  they 
show  the  care  taken  to  prevent  bad  laws  from  being  enact- 
ed, and  the  wisdom  of  the  framers  of  the  Constitution,  in 
dividing  the  legislative  power  of  the  government  into  two 
branches,  to  check  any  hasty  and  inconsiderate  legislation 
which  might  be  pushed  through  one  branch,  by  the  cooler 
and  more  deliberate  action  of  the  other. 

11.  The  House  of  Representatives  has  no  President  like 
the  Senate.     Its  presiding  officer  is  called  "The  Speaker." 
He  is  chosen  by  the  votes  of  the  members,  at  the  begin- 
ning of  each  Congress,  which  lasts  two  years ;  consequent- 
ly he  holds  his  office  two  years.     The  Clerk  of  the  House 
is  also  elected  by  its  members,  as  are  all  its  minor  officers. 

12.  Correctly  speaking,  both  the  members  of  the  Senate 
and  of  the  House,  are  members  of  Congress,  but  by  cus- 
tom, Representatives  only  are  called  members  of  Con- 


CONGRESS.  21 

gress  [abbreviated  into  M.  C.]    and   the   members   of  the 
Senate,  Senators, 

As  there  are  37  States  now,  the  Senate  has  74  members, 
and  by  a  law  of  1863,  the  number  of  Representatives  was 
fixed  at  241;  but  if  a  new  State  comes  into  the.  Union, 
after  an  apportionment,  her  member  or  members  may  be 
added  to  the  241  and  so  continue  until  the  next  apportion- 
ment. 

COMPENSATION. 

13.  Senators  and  members  of  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives receive  the  same  compensation,  the  amcun"  of  which 
has  been  increased  three  times.     It  had  always  been  Eight 
Dollars  per  day,  down  to  1856,  when  it  was  increased  to 
Three  Thousand  Dollars  per  session.     Then  in  1866  it  was 
again  raised  to  Five  Thousand  Dollars  per  session,  and  as 
there   are  always  two  sessions  to  every  Congress,  each 
member  receives  Ten  Thousand   Dollars  during  his  full 
term. 

14.  Mileage  is  an  additional   compensation.     This  has 
always  remained  the  same,  and  is  forty  cents  per  mile 
reckoned  from  the  residence  of  the  member  to  Washington 
by   the  usual  roads  or  routes  between  the  two  places. 
"  The  laborer  is  worthy  of  his  hire,"  is  a  maxim  from  the 
highest  a\ithority,  and  is  so  manifestly  just  that  nobody 
questions  its  truth.     But  giving  members  of  Congress  forty 
cents  per  mile  for  travelling  expenses  when  it  does  not 
cost  them  four,  [in  these  days]  is  as  manifestly  unjust  as 
the  maxim  is  true.     It  is  robbery  by  law ;  and  how  the 
majority  of  Thirty-nine  Congresses  have  consented  to  let 
this  swindle  go  on,  and  still  continue,  is  a  matter  of  aston- 
ishment  to  every  one  who  believes  that  "  Righteousness 
cxalteth  a  nation,  but  sin  is  a  reproach  to  any  people." 

Tbe  monstrous  inequality  tliis  law  makes  in  the  compen- 
sation of  members  adds  to  the  wonder  that  it  has  existed 


22  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S  GOVERNMENT. 

so  long.  Those  who  live  near  "Washington  do  not  receive 
a  hundred  dollars  for  mileage,  while  those  living  at  the 
greatest  distance  pocket  Twelve  Thousand  Dollars  of  the 
people's  money  for  what  costs  them  Five  Hundred. 

15.  During  the  revolutionary  war,  and  up  to  the  time 
that  the  Constitution  went  into  operation,  (April  30,  1789) 
the  thirteen  Colonies  sent  delegates  who  met  whenever  the 
exigencies  of  the  times  required  their  action,  and  whenevei 
their  safety  and  convenience  dictated.     These  delegates 
without  much  power  or  authority,  did  such  things  as  seem- 
ed necessary  to  be  done  to  carry  on  the  war  and  to  keep 
things  in  order.     Their  acts  generally  met  with  the  ap- 
proval of  the  people ;  for  in  times  of  such  common  danger, 
they  were  little  inclined  to  question  the  authority  of  those 
who  they  believed  were  acting  for  the  general  good ;  and 
as  to  their  constitutional  powers  to  do  any  thing,  we  have 
only  to  say,  there  was  no  Constitution  then  but  the  wishes 
of  the  people. 

This  body  of  men  denominated  the  "  CONTINENTAL  CON- 
GRESS," ceased  to  exist  after  the  adoption  of  our  present 
Constitution,  which  made  provisions  for  a  constitutional 
Congress,  whose  election,  power,  authority  and  duties  are 
all  clearly  defined  in  the  instrument  itself. 

16.  The  first  Congress  after  the  adoption  of  the  Consti- 
tution met  in  New  York,  where  two  sessions  were  held, 
It  then  removed  to  Philadelphia,  where  it  remained  till 
1800,  when  in  conformity  with  an  act  of  Congress,  it  re- 
moved to  "Washington,  where  it  has  remained  to  this  day. 

As  a  Congress  continues  two  years,  if  at  any  time  we 
wish  to  know  how  many  Congresses  there  have  been,  or 
will  be  up  to  the  time  required,  reckon  the  number  of 
years  from  1789 — the  beginning  of  the  first — to  the  year 
in  question ;  then  divide  the  sum  of  the  years  by  two,  and 
the  quotient  will  give  the  exact  number. 


THE    PRESIDENT.  23 


CHAPTER  IV. 
The    President. 

1.  "  THE  executive  powers  of  the  government  shall 
be  vested  in  a  President  of  the  United  States  of  Amer- 
ica/' Thus  reads  the  first  line  of  the  first  section  of  the 
second  article  of  the  Constitution.  This  article  is  devo- 
ted exclusively  to  the  highest  officer  in  the  government. 
The  Executive  and  the  President  are  in  the  Constitution 
synonymous  terms.  He  is  likewise  denominated  "  the 
chief  magistrate  of  the  nation."  He  is  himself  one  of 
the  co-ordinate  Branches  of  the  government.  These 
are  three  in  number ;  first,  the  Legislative  [Congress] ; 
second,  the  Executive  [the  President] ;  third,  the  Judi- 
ciary [the  Judges  of  the  United  States  Courts.]  These 
constitute  the  whole  civil  power  of  the  nation.  Con- 
gress enacts  the  laws,  and  the  President  must  see  that 
they  are  faithfully  executed ;  which  he  does  through 
the  various  executive  departments,  and  the  different 
courts.  He  and  the  Senate  appoint  the  heads  of  these 
departments,  and  the  judges  of  tho  courts,  and  they  ex- 
ecute the  laws.  The  heads  of  departments  act  under 
the  general  direction  of  the  President. 


24  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

2.  The  Presidents  are  elected  for  four  years,  and  are 
eligible  to  re-election.  Several  times  they  have  been 
re-elected,  and  have  consequently  held  the  office  eight 
years.  The  term  always  commences  on  the  fourth  day 
of  March,  and  terminates  on  the  same  day  of  the 
month.  The  presidential  elections,  the  most  important 
and  exciting  of  all  elections,  occur  every  four  years,  and 
now  take  place  in  all  the  States  on  the  same  day,  early 
in  November.  It  is  said  the  President  is  chosen  by  the 
people,  and  yet  the}'  do  not  directly  vote  for  him  at  all. 

The  people  elect  Electors,  and  these  elect  the  Presi- 
dent and  Vice-President.  Turn  to  the  third  section  of 
the  second  article  of  the  Constitution,  and  then  to  the 
twelfth  article  of  the  Amendments  of  it,  where  you  will 
find  the  whole  process  properly  described.  He  must 
be  a  native  citizen  of  the  United  States,  and  must  be 
thirty -five  years  of  age  when  elected.  And  in  case  of 
his  death,  removal,  resignation,  or  any  disability  to  dis- 
charge the  duties  of  the  office,  the"  Vice-President  then 
becomes  President. 

He  receives  a  salary  of  $25,000  a  year  for  his  services^ 
besides  the  use  of  the  presidential  mansion,  (commonly 
called  the  "White  House,)  and  the  furniture  in  it,  and  is 
debarred  from  the  receipt  of  any  other  emolument. 

4.  Before  entering  upon  the  duties  of  his  office,  he 
must  take  the  following  oath  or  affirmation  : 

"  I  do  solemnly  swear  (or  affirm)  that  I  will  faithful- 
ly execute  the  office  of  President  of  the  United  States, 
and  will,  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  preserve,  protect  and 
defend  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States." 

In  addition  to  his  civil  power,  he  is  Commander-in- 


THE   PRESIDENT.  25 

Chief  both  of  the  Army  and  Navy,  and  may  grant  re- 
prieves and  pardons,  except  in  cases  of  impeachment. 

He — by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  two- 
thirds  of  the  Senate— may  make  treaties  with  foreign 
powers.  He  has  the  power,  and  it  is  his  duty  to  nomi- 
nate, and  by  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate,  to 
appoint  ambassadors  and  other  public  ministers,  con- 
suls, judges,  and  in  short  all  other  officers  of  the  govern- 
ment, whose  appointments  are  not  otherwise  provided 
for. 

5.  It  is  also  made  his  duty  from  time  to  time,  to  lay 
before  Congress  information  respecting  the  state  of  the 
country,  and  to  recommend  to  their  notice  such  meas- 
ures as  he  may  deem  proper  and  beneficial  to  the  in- 
terests of  the  nation.  His  principal  and  most  important 
communication,  however,  is  that  made  to  Congress  at 
the  commencement  of  each  session.  This  is  called  the 
"  President's  Message,"  and  is  always  looked  for  with 
much  interest,  both  at  home  and  abroad ;  for  it,  more 
than  any  other  public  document,  shows  the  condition  of 
the  government  and  the  country,  both  in  their  domestic 
affairs  and  in  their  foreign  relations.  At  other  times 
the  President  sends  messages  to  Congress  upon  some 
special  matter,  which  he  considers  it  important  for  that 
body  to  know,  or  which  he  is  requested  to  lay  before  it 
for  information. 

He  may  call  extra  sessions  of  Congress  on  extraordi- 
nary occasions.  And  when  it  passes  any  bill  which  he 
does  not  approve,  and  he  refuses  to  sign  it,  it  cannot 
become  a  law  unless  it  goes  back  to  Congress,  and  is 


20  OUTLINES  OP  U.  S.    GOVERNMENT. 

again  passed  by  two-thirds  of  both  Houses.  This  is 
called  his  "  veto  power." 

6.  He,— with  all  civil  officers  of  the  United  States,— 
may  be  impeached,  and  removed  from  office,  for  trea- 
son, bribery,  and  other  high  crimes. 

The  foregoing  powers  and  duties  are  conferred  upon 
the  President  by  the  Constitution  ;  but  Congress  has,  at 
every  session  it  has  ever  held,  increased  these  powers 
and  duties  until  he  is  overwhelmed  with  them  ;  and  we 
cannot  but  think  that  he  now  possesses  more  power  than 
the  framers  of  the  Constitution  ever  designed  to  trust 
in  any  one  man's  hand. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  all  the  Presidents,  from 
Washington,  the  first,  down  to  the  present  incumbent : 

George  Washington,  Va.,  30th  April,  1789,  to  4th 
March,  1797 — 8  years. 

John  Adams,  Mass.,  4th  March,  1797,  to  4th  March, 
1801—4  years. 

Thomas  Jefferson,  Va.,  4th  March,  1801,  to  4th  March, 
1809-8  years. 

James  Madison,  Va.,  4th  March,  1809  to  4th  March, 
1817—8  years. 

James  Monroo,  Va.,4th  March,  1817,  to  4th  March,  1825 
— 8  years. 

John  Quincy  Adams,  Mass.,  4th  March,  1825,  to  4th 
March,  1829—4  years. 

Andrew  Jackson,  Tenn.,  4th  March,  1829,  to  4th  March, 
1837—8  years. 

Martin  Van  Buren,  N.Y.,  4th  March,  1837  lo*4th  March, 
1841—4  years. 

William  H.  Harrison,Q.,  4th  March,  1841,  to  4th  April, 
1841—1  month. 


THE  PRESIDENT.  27 

John  Tyler,  Va.,  4th  April,  1841,  to  4th  March,  1845— 
3  years  and  eleven  months. 

James  K.  Polk,  Tenn.,  4th  March,  1845,  to  4th  March, 
1849—4  years. 

Zackary  Taylor,  La.,  4th  March,  1849,  to  9th  July  1850 
- — 1  year,  4  months,  and  5  days. 

Millard  Fillmore,  N.Y.,  9th  July,  1850,  to  4th  March, 
1853—2  years,  7  months,  and  26  days. 

Franklin  Pierce,  N.H.,  4th  March,  1853,  to  4th  March, 
1857—4  years. 

James  Buchanan,  Pa.,  4th  March,  1857,  to  4th  March, 
1861—4  years. 

Abraham  Lincoln,  111.,  4th  March,  1861,  to  April,  1865 
— 4  years,  1  month,  and  8  days. 

Andrew  Johnson,  Tenn.,  April,  1865.  to; 

Of  these,  William  H.  Harrison  died  4th  April,  1841, 
•just  pne  month  after  his  inauguration.  On  the  death  of  Har- 
rison, Tyler,  the'Vice-President,  became  Acting  President, 
Taylor  died  July  9,  1850,  and  Fillmore,  Vice-President, 
became  Acting  President.  Lincoln  was  assassinated  on 
the  12th  April,  1865,  one  month  and  eight  days  after  he 
was  inaugurated  upon  his  second  term  ;  and  Andrew  John- 
son, the  Vice-President,  became  Acting  President;  this 
being  the  third  time  that  such  an  event  has  occurred  since 
the  government  went  into  operation. 


28  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  V. 
The  Vice-  President. 

1.  THE  high  sounding  title  of  this  officer,  would  lead 
one  who  is  but  little  acquainted  with  our  government 
to  think  that,  he  stands  next  to  the  President  himself  in 
dignity  and  power ;  that  on  his  shoulders  rested  a  large 
amount  of  the  duties  and  responsibilities  of  administra- 
tion.    Such,  however,  is  not  the  case.     He  is,  in  fact, 
nearer  a  cipher  than  any  of  the  high  officers  of  State. 
He  is  merely  the  presiding  officer  of  the  Senate,  with 
not  even  the  power  to  vote,  except  in  case  of  a  tie  vote 
in  that  body,  when  he  may  give  the  casting  vote.     It  is 
only  in  case  of  the  death,  resignation,  impeachment,  or 
disability  of  the  President  to  discharge  his  duties,  that 
the  Vice-President  becomes  an  officer  of  much  power 
or  dignity.     He  is  something  like  an  heir  apparent  to  a 
throne.     The  Constitution  provides  that  he  shall  take 
the  President's  place  in  case  -any  of  the  foregoing  con- 
tingencies occur ;  and  up  to  this  date  this  has  happened 
three  times. 

2.  He  is  elected  at  the  same  time  and  in  the  same 
manner  as  the  President,  and  for  the  same  term,  and 
must  possess  the  same  qualifications ;  that  is,  he  must  be 
a  native  citizen  of  the  United  States,  and  of  the  age  of 
35  years. 


THE  VICE-PRESIDENT.  29 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  names  of  all  who  have 
filled  this  office,  from  John  Adams,  the  first,  down  to 
Andrew  Johnson,  the  last,  [at  this  time  1867,]  with  the 
dates  of  entrance  upon  their  duties : 
John    Adams,    Mass.,    30th  April,  1789,  to  4th  March, 

1797 — eight  years. 
Thomas  Jefferson,  Va.,  4th  March,  1797,  to  4th  March, 

1801 — four  years. 
Aaron  Burr,  N.  Y.,  4th  March,  1801,  to  4th  March,  1805— 

four  years. 
George  Clinton,  N.  Y.,  4th  March,   1805,   to  20th  April, 

1812 — seven  years,  one  month,  sixteen  days. 
Elbridge    Gerry,    Mass.,  4th  March,  1813,  to  23d   Nov., 

1814 — one  year,  seven  months,  nineteen  days. 
Daniel  D.  Tompkins,  N.  Y.,  4th  March,  1817,  to  4th  March, 

1825 — eight  years. 
John  C.  Calhoun,  S.  C.,  4th  March,  1825,  to  4th  March, 

1833 — eight  years. 
Martin  Van  Buren,  N.  Y.,  4th  March,  1833,  to  4th  March, 

1837— four  years. 
Richard  M.  Johnson,  Ky.,  4th  March,  1837,  to  4th  March, 

1841 — four  years. 
John  Tyler,  Va.,  4th  March,  1841,  to  4th  April,    1841— 

one  month. 
George  M.  Dallas,  Pa.,  4th  March,  1845,  to  4th  March, 

1849 — four  years. 
Millard  Fillmore,  N.  Y.,  4th  March,  1849,  to   9th   July, 

1850 — one  year,  four  months. 
William  R.  King,  Ala. 
John  C.  Breckinridge,  Ky.,  4th  March,  1857,  to  4th  March, 

1861 — four  years. 
Hannibal  Hamlin,  Me.,  4th  March,  1861.  to  4th  March, 

1865 — four  years. 


30  OUTLINES  OP  V.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

Andrew  Johnson,  Tenn.,  4th  March,  1865,  to  12th  April, 
1865— one  month,  eight  days. 

Of  these,  Clinton  died  April  20, 1812 ;  from  -which  time  till  4th 
March,  1813,  the  Vice  Presidency  was  vacant. 

Gerry  died  Nov.  23, 1814 ;  from  which  time  till  4th  March,  1817, 
the  Vice-Presidency  was  vacant. 

Tyler  became  acting  President  upon  the  death  of  President 
Harrison ;  and  until  March  4th,  1845,  the  Vice-Presidency  was  va- 
cant. 

Fillmore  became  acting  President  upon  the  death  of  President 
Taylor,  9th  July,  1850 ;  and  until  March  4th,  1853,  the  Vice-Presi- 
dency was  vacant. 

King  was  elected  with  President  Pierce  in  1853 ;  but  died  18th 
April,  1853.  He  never  took  his  seat,  and  the  Vice-Presidency  was 
vacant  till  4th  March,  1857. 

Johnson  became  acting  President  upon  the  death  of  President 
Lincoln,  12th  April,  1865 ;  and  the  Vice-Presidency  again  became 
vacant,  and  must  remain  so  till  4th  March,  1869. 


STATE  DEPARTMENT.  31 

CHAPTER  VI. 
State  Department,  and  Secretary  of  State. 

1.  THE  Constitution  makes  no  mention  of  this  depart- 
ment of  the  government,  or  of  any  such  officer  as  Secre- 
tary of  State,  or  indeed,  of  any  other  of  the  Executive 
Departments,  or  of  their  official  heads.  They  were  all 
created  by  acts  of  Congress ;  and  when  it  first  met,  the 
Constitution  was  the  only  guide  it  had  for  its  action-^ 
but  that  clothed  it  with  all  the  legislative  power  of  the 
government.  Consequently,  at  its  very  first  session  it 
passed  such  acts  as  were  necessary  to  put  the  new  gov- 
ernment into  operation.  Several  departments  were 
created,  and  the  officers  for  their  management  were  ap- 
pointed. This  was  the  first  of  all  the  Executive  depart- 
ments created  by  Congress.  In  the  outset  it  was  found 
necessary  to  correspond  and  negotiate  with  Foreign 
Governments,  and  to  have  some  duly  authorized  official 
to  conduct  such  correspondence.  Hence,  this  depart- 
ment of  the  government  was  established,  and  at  first  de- 
nominated "  the  department  of  Foreign  Affairs ;"  and 
the  principal  officer  at  its  head  was  denominated  "  the 
Secretary  for  the  department  of  Foreign  Affairs."  But 
before  the  close  of  this  session  of  Congress,  for  some  rea- 
son it  was  determined  to  change  the  denomination  of  it, 
from  that  of  "Department  of  Foreign  Affairs,"  to  that 


32  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

of  "  Department  of  State ;"  and  that  of  the  Secretary,  to 
u  Secretary  of  State ;"  and  by  these  names  they  have 
ever  since  been  known. 

2.  The  Secretary  of  State  in  our  government,  is  the 
highest  officer  after  the  President.     He  is  what  in  other 
governments  is  called  the  Prime  Minister.     In  monarch- 
ical governments  all  the  high  officers  of  State  are  call- 
ed Ministers ;  but  in  ours  they  are  known  by  the  modest 
name  of  Secretaries. 

By  a  law  passed  in  1853,  the  office  of  Assistant  Sec- 
retary of  State  was  created.  The  incumbent  acts  under 
the  direction  of  the  Secretary.  Previous  to  this  act,  the 
principal  inferior  officer  in  the  State  Department  was 
the  Chief  Clerk,  who  is  appointed  by  the  Secretary. 

3.  The  great  Seal  of  the  United  States  is  in  the  cus- 
tody of  the  Secretary  of  State,  and  it  is  his  duty  to  affix 
it  to  all  civil  commissions,  to  officers  of  the  United  States 
who  are  appointed  by  the  President  and  Senate,  or  by 
the  President  alone. 

4.  Under  the  direction  .and  instruction  of  the  Presi- 
dent, the  law  makes  it  his  duty  to  hold  correspondence 
and  give  instructions  to  our  Foreign  Ministers  and  Con- 
suls, and  also  to  hold  correspondence  with  public  Min- 
isters from  Foreign  Governments,  and  to  do  all  other 
things  relating  to  Foreign  matters  which  the  President 
shall  direct  him  to  perform. 

5.  It  is  also  made  his  duty  to  keep  in  his  office  the 
original  copies  of  all  acts,  resolutions  and  orders  of  Con- 
gress.    Tie  must  also  deliver  to  each  Senator  and  Rep- 
resentative in  Congress,  and  to  the  Governor  of  each 
State,  a  printed  copy  of  the  same;  and  during  the  ses- 


STATE  DEPARTMENT.  33 

sion  ol  each  Congress  lie 'must  publish  the  acts  and  reso- 
lutions passed  by  it  in  one  newspaper  in  the  District  of 
Columbia,  and  in  not  more  than  two  in  each  State'and 
Territory  of  the  United  States.  He  must  also  publish 
in  like  manner  all  amendments  of  the  Constitution,  and 
all  public  treaties  made  and  ratified  between  the  United 
States  and  any  Foreign  State,  Prince  or  Power,  or  with 
any  of  the  Indian  tribes. 

6.  And  at  the  close  of  each  session  of  Congress  he 
must  cause  to  be  published  11,000  copies  in  book  form 
of  all  the  laws,  &c.,  as  before  stated ;  and  to  distribute 
the  same  as  directed  by  law  to  the  President  and  Yice- 
President,  and  to  every  Ex-President ;  to  all  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Senate  an,d  House  of  Representatives^  to  all 
the  heads  of  the  various  Departments  and  Bureaus;  to 
all  the  Judges  of  the  United  States  Courts,  their  Clerks 
and  Marshals;  to  all  our  Foreign  Ministers,  Consuls 
and  Public  Agents  ;  in  short,  to  all  the  important  Offi- 
cers of  the  government  at  home  and  abroad ;  in  order 
that  all  who  are  in  government  employ  may  know  what 
the  laws  are,  and  what  changes  have  been  made  in  acts 
formerly  existing.  The  remaining  copies  are  distributed 
to  the  States  and  Territories  according  to  the  number  of 
Representatives  in  Congress  from  each  of  them. 

f.  It  is  also  made  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  of  State 
to  give  passports  to  our  own  citizens  who  wish  to  travel 
in  Foreign  countries;  to  cause  passpoits  to  be  issued 
by  such  Diplomatic  or  Consular  officers  of  the  United 
States  as  the  President  shall  direct ;  to  give  such  in- 
formation to  our  people  through  the  newspapers  as  he 
may  from  time  to  time  receive  from  our  Diplomatic 


34  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

and  Consular  agents  abroad  aa  he  may  deem  import- 
ant to  the  nation,  respecting  our  commercial  interests 
in  foreign  countries,  and  to  prepare  a  form  of  passport 
for  American  ships  and  vessels  of  the  United  States. 

8.  In  the  execution  of  extradition  treaties  between 
us  and  foreign  governments,  it  is  lawful  for  the  Secre- 
tary of  State,  under  his  haud  and  seal  of  office,  to  issue 
an  order  for  the  rendition  of  any  person  who  has  been 
found  guilty  of  crime  in  a  foreign  country,  to  any  prop- 
erly authorized  person ;  that  such  criminal  may  be  taken 
out  of  the  United  States  to  the  country  where  the  crime 
was  committed. 

9.  We  have  thus  sketched  the  principal  duties  ol 
this  high  officer  of  State,  and  can  readily  see  that  they 
are  arduous.     Those  which  relate  to  foreign  aifairs  are 
exceedingly  responsible ;  for  peace  or  war  may  often 
depend  on  the  skill  and  wisdom  with  which  he  man- 
ages our  affairs  with  foreign  governments. 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing  duties,  he  is  a  member 
of  the  Cabinet,  and  hence  is  one  of  the  President's 
advisers  and  counsellors :  and  in  relation  to  foreign 
matters,  he  has  more  influence  than  any  other  member 
of  that  body.  He  is  appointed  by  the  President,  by 
and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate.  He  is 
appointed  for  four  years ;  that  is,  during  a  Presidential 
term ;  but  may  be  removed  by  the  President  at  any 
time.  This  however  is  rarely  done.  He  receives  a 
salary  of  $8,000  per  annum. 

10.  As  a  matter  of  historical  reference,  we  append 
the  names  of  all  the  statesmen  who  have  filled  this 
high  office,  commencing  with  the  first,  and  placing  them 


STATE    DEPARTMENT.  35 

in  the  order  of  the  dates  of  their  appointments,  together 
with  the  States  from  which  they  came : 

SECRETARIES  OF  STATE. 

Thomas  Jefferson,  Va.,  Sept.  26,  1789. 
Edmund  Randolph,  Va.,  Jan.  2,  1794. 
Timothy  Pickering,  Mass.,  Dec.  10,  1795. 
John  Marshall,  Va.,  May  13,  1800. 
James  Madison,  Va.,  March  5,  1801. 
Robert  Smith,  Md.,  March  6,  1809. 
James  Monroe,  Va.,  April  2, 1811. 
John  Quincy  Adams,  Mass.,  March  4,  1817 
Henry  Clay,  Ky.,  March  7,  1825. 
Martin  Van  Buren.,  N.  Y,,  March  6, 1829. 
Edward  P.  Livingston,  La.,  May  24, 1831. 
Louis  McLean,  Del.,  May  29,  1833. 
John  Forsyth,  Ga.,  June  27,  1834. 
Daniel  Webster,  Mass.,  March  5,  1841. 
H.  S.  Legard,  S.  C.,  May  9,  1843. 
A.  P.  Upsher,  Va.,  June  24,  1843. 
John  Nelson,  Md.,  Feb.  29,  1844. 
John  C.  Calhoun,  S.  C.,  March  6,  1844. 
James  Buchanan,  Pa.,  March  5,  1845. 
John  M.  Clayton,  Del.,  March  7,  1849. 
Daniel  Webster,  Mass.,  July  20,  1850. 
Edward  Everett,  Mass.,  Dec.  9,  1851. 
William  L.  Marcy,  N.  Y.,  March  5,  1853. 
Lewis  Cass,  Michigan,  March  6,  1857. 
Jeremiah  S.  Black,  Pa.,  Dec.  14,  1860. 
William  H.  Seward,  N.  Y.,  March  5, 1861. 


OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  VII. 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury; 

1.  IF  any  department  of  the  government  should  ever 
be  abolished,  it  certainly  will  not  be  this ;   for   without 
it,  or  some  institution  very  similar  in  its  plan,  the  gov- 
ernment itself  would  crumble  into  its  original  elements, 
— individual  persons.     Without  money,  no  government 
could  be  sustained.     The  Treasury  is  the   place  into 
which  the  money  flows,  and  from  which  it  flows. 

2.  The  United  States  Treasury  is  the  receptacle  of  all 
the  funds,  [or  an  account  of  them]  collected  from  what- 
ever source,  for  carrying  on  the  various   operations  of 
the  government.     It  was  established  by  a  law  of  Con- 
gress  in  1T89 ;  and  with  such  modifications  of  the   law 
as  experience  has  proved  to  be  necessary,  it  remains  to 
this  day.    We  embrace  in  our  account  of  the  Treasury 
department,  its  head,  the  Secretary   of  the  Treasury, 
and  his  duties  ;  for  it  would  be  difficult  to  describe  one 
without  the  other.     This  office  was  created  at  the  same 
time  with  the  department  itself.      It  is  one  of  great  re- 
sponsibility, and  the  incumbent  should   be   thoroughly 
skilled  in  the  science  and  management  of  finances  ;  for 
no  man  in  the  United  States  has  such  vast  sums  to  pro- 
vide for,  receive,  and  disburse,  as  the  Secretary  of  the 


SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY.  37 

Treasury.     During  the  late  civil  war  they  amounted  to 
hundreds  of  millions  a  year. 

3.  He  is  appointed,  like  all  other  heads  of  departments, 
by   the  President  and  Senate ;  holds   his  office  for  four 
years,  unless  sooner  removed ;  is  a  member  of  the  Cabinet ; 
and  receives  $8,000  a  year  as  salary.  Connected  with  him, 
as  aids  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties,  are  an  assistant  Secre- 
tary,  a  Comptroller,  and   second  Comptroller,  five  Au- 
ditors, Treasurer,  and  his  assistant,  a  Register  and  his  as- 
sistant, a  Commissioner  of  Customs,  a  Comptroller  of  the 
Currency,  and  a  deputy  and  a  Solicitor  of  the  Treasury ;  all 
these  officials  are  appointed  by  the  President  and  Senate. 

4.  These,  with  several  hundred  clerks,   constitute  the 
officials  and  machinery  by   which  this  great  department 
of  the  Government  is   operated.    It  would  be  quite  too 
tedious,  and  of  doubtful  utility,  to  describe  the  particular 
duties  of  each  of  these  officials.     Suffice  it  therefore  to  say, 
that  each  one  has  his  specific  duties  to  perform,  without 
any  interference  with  others :  and  perhaps  the  world  could 
not    show   another     establishment,    where   such    a    vast 
amount  of  business  is  transacted  with  more  order,  skill  and 
accuracy  than  at  this  office. 

5.  Here  the  accounts  of  all  receivers  and  disbursers  of 
Government  money,  are  presented  and  settled ;  after  having 
been  examined  and  approved  by  several  of  the  above 
named  officials,  who  are  charged  with  this  duty. 

t>.  The  Commisioner  of  Customs  attends  to  the  accounts 
of  Collectors  of  duties  imposed  on  imported  goods.  The 
First  Comptroller  must  collect  debts  due  to  the  United 
States,  and  superintend  the  adjustment  and  preservation 
of  the  public  accounts. 


38  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S  GOVERNMENT. 

The  First  Auditor  receives  all  accounts  coming  into 
the  department;  the  Second,  Third,  Fourth  and  Fifth 
Auditors,  each  examine  the  accounts  of  such  department 
as  is  assigned  to  them  respectively. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  go  further  in  detailing  the  partic- 
ular duties  of  the  officers  of  this  department.  We  have 
only  noticed  a  few  of  them,  merely  as  examples  of  the  sys- 
tem of  conducting  the  business  of  this  great  branch  of  the 
Government. 

7.  Let  it  not  be  understood  that  all  the  monies  col- 
lected and  disbursed  by  the  United  States  are  received, 
and  paid  out  at  the  Treasury  building  at  Washington, — 
which  is  only  the  principal  office  at  the  seat  of  Govern- 
ment,— for  in  addition  to  this  there  are  Sub-troasuries  in 
several  of  the  large  cities,  where  the  public  monies  are 
received  and  disbursed.      The  head  officers  of  these  Sub' 
treasuries,  are  termed  Assistant  Treasurers. 

The  law  also  makes  the  Treasurer  of  the  Mint  at  Phil- 
adelphia, and  the  Treasurers  of  some  of  the  branch  mints, 
Assistant  Treasurers,  for  they  have  public  monies  in  their 
keeping,  and  if  so  ordered  by  the  Treasury  department  at 
Washington,  they  disburse  it  as  directed.  The  same  or- 
ders are  sometimes  also  given  to  Collectors,  Post-masters, 
Receivers  of  the  Land  offices,  &c.,  and  they  disburse  as 
well  as  receive  Government  funds  ;  but  the  accounts  of  all 
these  must  be  sent  to,  and  settled  in  the  office  of  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Treasury. 

8.  Any  one  would  readily  suppose  that  men  intrusted 
with  the  receipt  and  disbursement  of  such  large  sums  of 
the  people's  money,  should  give  security  for  their  fidelity 
to  their  trusts.     This  the  law  requires,  and  this  they  must 


SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY.       39 

do,  before  they  enter  upon  their  respective  duties.  But  in 
spite  of  all  precautions,  dishonest  men  get  into  those 
places ;  and  public  defaulters  are  not  rare  specimens  of 
humanity,  among  office  holders. 

9.  The  folio  whig  are  the  names  of  all  who  have  been 
Secretaries  of  the  Treasury,  from  1789,  down  to  the  present 
time 

SECRETARIES   OF    THE    TREASURY. 

Alexander  Hamilton,  N.  Y.,  Sept,  12, 1789. 
Oliver  Wolcott,  Ct.,  Feb.  4,  1795. 
Samuel  Dexter,  Mass.,  Dec.  31,  1800. 
Albert  Gallatin,  Pa.,  May  14,  1801. 
George  W.  Campbell^  Tenn.,  Feb.  9,  1814. 
Alexander  J.  Dallas,  Pa.,  Oct.  6,  1814. 
William  H.  Crawford,  Ga.,  Oct.  22,  1816. 
Richard  Rush,  Pa.,  Mar.  7,  1825. 
Samuel  D.  Ingham,  Pa.,  Mar.  6,  1829. 
Louis  McLane,  Del.,  Aug.  8,  1831. 
William  A.  Duane,  Pa.,  May  29,  1833. 
Roger  B.  Taney,  Md.,  Sept.  23,  1833. 
Levi  Woodbury,  N.  H.,  June  27,  1834. 
Thomas  Ewing,  0.,  Mar.  5,  1841. 
Walter  Forward,  Pa.,  Sept.  13,  1841. 
John  C.  Spencer,  N.  Y.,  Mar.  3,  1843. 
George  M.  Bibb,  Ky.,  June  15,  1844. 
R  >bert  J.  Walker,  Miss.,  Mar.  5,  1845. 
W.  M.  Meredith,  Pa.,  Mar.  7,  1849. 
Thomas  Corwin,  O.,  June  20,  1850. 
James  Guthrie,  Ky.,  Mar.  5,  1853. 
Howell  Cobb,  Ga.,  Mar.  6,  1857. 


40  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

Philip  F.  Thomas,  Md.,  Dec.  10,  1860. 
John  A.  Dix,  N.  ¥.,  1861. 
Salmon  P.  Chase,  O.,  Mar.  5,  1861. 
'William  P.  Fessenden,  Me.,  July,  186*. 
Hugh  McCulloch,  Ind.,  the  present  incumbent. 


SECRETARY   OF   WAR.  41 


CHAPTER  VIII. 
The  War  Department,  and  Secretary  of  War. 

1.  THE  name  of  this  department  sufficiently  indicates 
the  design  and  object  of  its  creation,  and  the  kind  of  pub- 
lic business  committed  to  its  care  and  management.    The 
Secretary  of  War  is  the  head  of  it,  its  principal  officer. 
He  is  one  of  the  great  officers  of  State,  and  a  member  of 
the  Cabinet.     He,  like  all  the  heads  of  departments,  is  ap- 
pointed by  the  President  and  Senate.      Four  years  is  the 
time  for  which  he  is  appointed,  but  he  may  be  sooner  re- 
nfoved  by  the  President  if  he  sees  fit  to  do  so.  He  receives 
$8,000  per  annum  as  his  salary.     In  military  authority  he 
ranks  next  to  the  President. 

2.  As  stated  hi  another  place,  the  Constitution  makes 
no  specific  provision  for  this,  or  any  other  of  the  depart- 
ments into  which  the  Government  is  divided.      They  are 
all  the  creations  of  Congress,  and  exist  by  enactments  of 
law.     The  War  Department,  with  several  others,  were 
created  at  the  first  session  of  the  first  Congress,  which 
met  after  the  Government  went  into  operation,  under  the 
Constitution  in  1789. 

3.  We  can  convey  no  better  idea  of  the  object  of  estab- 
lishing this  department  and  the  officer  at  its  head,  than 
by  quoting  the  first  section  of  the  act  by  which  they  were 
created.      "  There  shall  be  an  executive  department  to  be 


42  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

denominated  the  Department  of  War;  and  there  shall  be 
a  principal  officer  therein,  to  be  called  the  Secretary  for  the 
Department  of  War,  who  shall  perform  and  execute  such 
duties  as  shall  from  time  to  time  be  enjoined  on,  or  en- 
trusted to  him  by  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
agreeably  to  the  Constitution,  relative  to  military  commis- 
sions or  to  the  land  forces,  ships,  or  warlike  stores  of  the 
United  States ;  or  to  such  other  matters  respecting  mili- 
tary affairs,  as  the  President  of  the  United  States  shall  as- 
sign to  the  said  department ;  and  furthermore,  the  said 
principal  officer  shall  conduct  the  business  of  the  said  de- 
partment in  such  manner  as  the  President  of  the  United 
States  shall  from  time  to  time  order  or  instruct." 

4-  According  to  the  act  by  which  this  department  was 
fistablished,  a  Chief  Clerk,  appointed  by  the  Secretary, 
was  the  second  officer  in  authority  in  it,  and  acted  in  his 
etead  in  case  of  vacancy  in  the  Secretaryship.  But  in 
1861,  Congress  passed  an  act,  authorizing  the  President  to 
appoint  an  Assistant  Secretary  of  War ;  and  in  1862,  ano- 
ther act  was  passed,  authorizing  the  appointment  of  two 
additional  Assistants.  This,  however,  was  intended  as  a 
temporary  arrangement ;  to  last  only  during  the  existence 
of  the  lamentable  civil  war  which  was  at  the  time  in  prog- 
ress ;  and  which  necessarily  greatly  increased  the  business 
of  the  departm*  nt. 

5.  The  Secretary  of  War  has  in  his  keeping  all  books, 
records,  and  papers,  relating  to  military  affairs.  Here  are 
to  be  found  the  names  of  all  officers  and  men  in  the  army, 
whether  in  the  regular  army  or  in  the  volunteer  service. 
Connected  with  the  War  Department,  are  a  number  of 
sub-departments,  or  bureaus,  as  these  sub-departments  are 


SECRETARY   OF  WAR.  43 

commonly  called ;  among  which  are  the  Commissary,  the 
Quartermaster's  and  Ordnance  Departments.  These  are 
all  under  the  general  supervision  and  direction  of  the  Sec- 
retary. 

6.  In  time  of  peace  the  War  Department  attracts  no 
particular  public  notice.  But  in  time  of  war  it  draws 
around  it  more  attention  than  any  other  branch  of  the 
Government ;  for  on  its  good  or  bad  management  the 
weal  or  AVOC  of  the  nation  depends. 

Hence  the  Secretary  of  "War  should  be  a  man  well 
acquainted  with  military  affairs,  of  sound  judgment,  and 
of  undoubted  integrity.  In  this  department  all  accounts 
relating  to  military  matters  are  kept  and  adjusted. 

In  addition  to  the  Assistant  Secretaries,  the  President 
and  Senate  were  authorized  in  1863  to  appoint  a  Solicitor 
in  the  War  Department.  These,  with  a  large  clerical 
force,  transact  the  business  of  this  important  branch  of 
the  Government. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  names  of  all  who  have  filled 
the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  from  the  first  down  to 
the  present  incumbent,  with  the  dates  of  their  appoint- 
ment, and  the  States  in  which  they  lived. 

SECRETARIES   OF   WAR. 

Henry  Knox,  Mass.,  Sept.  12,  1789. 
Timothy  Pickering,  Pa.,  Jan.  2,  1795. 
James  McHenry,  Md.,  Jan.  27,  1796. 
James  Marshall,  Ya.,  May  7,  1800. 
Samuel  Dexter,  Mass.,  May  13,  1800. 
Roger  Griswold,  Ct.,  Feb.  3,  1801. 
Henry  Dearborn,  Mass.,  March  5,  1801. 
William  Eustis,  Mass.,  March  7,  1809. 


OUTLINES  OP  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

John  Armstrong,  K.  Y.,  Jan.  13,  1813. 
James  Monroe,  Va.,  Sept.  27,  1814. 
William  H.  Crawford,  Ga.,  March  2,  1815. 
Isaac  Shelby,  Ky.,  March  5,  1817. 
G.  Graham,  Va.,  April  7,  1817. 
John  C.  Calhoun,  S.  C.,  Oct.  8,  1817. 
James  Barbour,  Va.,  March  7,  1825. 
Peter  B.  Porter,  N.  Y.,  May  26,  1828. 
J.  H.  Eaton,  Tenn.,  March  9,  1829. 
Lewis  Cass,  Mich.,  Aug.  1,  1831. 
Benjamin  F.  Butler,  N.  Y,  March  3, 1837. 
Joel  K  Poinsett,  S.  C.,  March  7,  1837. 
John  Bell,  Tenn.,  March  5,  1841. 
John  McLean,  O.,  Sept.  13,  1841. 
John  C.  Spencer,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  12,  1841. 
James  W.  Porter,  Pa.,  March  8,  1843. 
William  Wilkins,  Pa.,  Eeb.  15,  1844. 
William  L.  Marcy,  N.  Y.,  March  5,  1845. 
George  W.  Crawford,  Ga.,  March  6,  1849. 
Charles  M.  Conrad,  La.,  Aug.  8,  1850. 
Jefferson  Davis,  Miss.,  March  5,  1853. 
John  B.  Floyd,  Va.,  March  6, 1857. 
Joseph  Holt,  Ky.,  Dec.  30,  1860. 
.Simon  Cameron,  Pa.,  March  5,  1861. 
Edwin  M.  Stanton,  Pa.,  Jan,  13,  1862. 


SECRETARY   OF   TEE    NAVT.  4.5 


CHAPTER  IX. 
Department,  and  Secretary  of  the  Wavy. 

1.  THE  navy  and  the  army  are  the  two  strong  arms 
of  the  nation.     By  these  we  preserve  order  at  home 
and  protect  ourselves  against  wrongs  abroad  or  inva- 
sions of  onr  rights  by  any  foreign  power,  whether  at 
home  or  elsewhere.      They  may  be  termed  the  bel- 
ligerent parts  of  the  Government ;  and  if  we  institute  a 
comparison  between  them,  it  is  not  easy  to  determine 
which  is  the  strongest  arm,  or  which  is  the  most  effi- 
cient agent  of  national  defence. 

2.  The  Navy  Department,  like  the  War  Department, 
was  established  at  an  early  period  after  the  adoption  of 
the  Constitution.     The  office  of  Secretary  of  the  Navy 
was  created  at  the  same  time  that  the  department  itself 
was.    He  is  appointed  by  the  President  and  Senate, 
is  one  of  the  highest  officers  of  the  Government,  one  of 
the  seven  members  of  the  Cabinet,  and  receives  a  salary 
of  $8,000  per  annum. 

As  the  President  is  Commander-in-Chief  as  well  of 
the  Navy  as  of  the  Army,  the  Secretary  of  course  acts 
under  his  direction.  It  is  made  his  duty  to  execute 
the  President's  orders  relative  to  the  procurement  of 
naval  stores  and  materials,  and  the  construction,  arma- 
ment, equipment  and  employment  of  vessels  of  war,  and 


46  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

all  other  matters  connected  with  the  naval   establish- 
ment. 

3.  As  in  the  War  Department,  a  head   clerk  -was 
formerly  second  in  rank  and  authority  in  this  ;  but  in 
the  year  1SG1,  by  an  act  of  Congress,  the  office  of  As- 
sistant Secretary  of  the  Xavy  was  created.     Its  incum- 
bent fills  the  second  place,  and  acts  as  Secretary  in  the 
absence  of  that  officer. 

Formerly  there  were  five  bureaus  in  this  department, 
but  in  1862  three  more  were  added,  making  eight,  as 
follows : 

1.  A  Bureau  of  Yards  and  Docks. 

2.  A  Bureau  of  Equipment  and  Kecruiting. 

3.  A  Bureau  of  Navigation. 

4.  A  Bureau  of  Ordnance. 

5.  A  Bureau  of  Construction  and  Repairs. 

6.  A  Bureau  of  Steam  Engineering. 

7.  A  Bureau  of  Provisions  and  Clothing. 

8.  A  Bureau  of  Medicine  and  Surgery. 

The  President  and  Senate  appoint  all  the  heads  of 
these  bureaus,  and  select  them  principally  from  officers 
of  high  rank  in  the  navy.  They  are  all  appointed  for 
four  years,  and  each  receive  a  salary  of  $3,500  per  an- 
num. 

4.  The  Secretary  appoints  all  the  clerks  in   each  of 
these  bureaus,  and  distributes  such  duties  to  each  as  he 
thinks  proper.     They  all  act  under  his  direction.      lie 
must  annually  report  to  Congress  the  state  and  condi- 
tion of  his  department,  and  the  expenditures  of  the 


SECRETARY   OF   THE    NAYY.  47 

same,  specifying  the  amounts  expended  for  the  items  of 
building,  repairing,  wages  of  mechanics,  laborers, 
equipping  vessels  of  the  navy,  &c.y  &c. 

SECRETARIES    OF    THE   NAVY. 

The  following  list  embraces  the  names  of  all  the  Sec 
retaries  of  the  Navy,  from  George  Cabot,  the  first,  to 
Gideon  Welles,  the  present  incumbent. 

George  Cabot,  Mass.,  May  3,  1798. 
Benjamin  Stoddard,  Mass.,  May  21,  1708. 
Robert  Smith,  Md.,  July  15, 1801. 
J.  Crown ingshield,  Mass.,  May  3,  1805. 
Paul  Hamilton,  S.  C.,  March  7,  1809. 
William  Jones,  Pa.,  Jan.  12,  1813. 
B.  W.  Crowningshield,  Mass.,  Dec.  17,  1814. 
Smith  Thompson,  K  Y.,  Nov.  9,  1818. 
John  Rogers,  Mass.,  Sept.  1,  1323. 
S.  L.  Southard,  N.  J.,  Sept.  16,  1823. 
John  Branch,  N.  C.,  March  9,  1829. 
Lcvi  Woodbury,  N.  II.,  May  23,  1831. 
Mahlon  Dickerson,  N.  J.-,  June  30,  1834. 
J.  R.  Paulding,  N.  Y.,  June  20,  1838. 
G.  P.  Badger,  N.  C.,  March  5,  18-11. 
Abel  P.  Upsher,  Ya.,  Sept.  13,  1841. 
David  ITenshaw,  Mass.,  July  24,  1843. 
T.  W.  Gilmer,  Ya,,  Feb.  12*,  1844. 
John  Y.  Mason,  Ya.,  March  14,  1844. 
George  Bancroft,  Mass.,  March  10,  1845. 
John  Y.  Mason,  Ya.,  Sept.  9, 1846. 


48  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

William  B.  Preston,  Ya.,  March  7,  1849. 
William  A.  Graham,  N.  C.,  July  20, 1850. 
J.  P.  Kennedy,  Md.,  July  22,  1850. 
J.  C.  Dobbin,  N.  C.,  March  5,  1853. 
Isaac  Toucey,  Ct,  March  6,  1857. 
Gideon  Welles,  Ct.,  March  5, 1861. 


SECRETARY   OF   THE    INTERIOR.  49 


CHAPTER  X. 
Interior  Department  and  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 

1.  A  LITTLE  reflection  will  enable  any  one  to  under- 
stand that  there  must  necessarily  be  a  constantly  in- 
creasing amount  of  business  to  be  done  by  a  govern- 
ment whose  territory  and  population  have  increased  as 
rapidly  as  they  have  done  in  the  United  States.      In 
every  department  there  has  been  an  accumulation  of 
work  to  be  done  and  of  duties  to  be  performed. 

2.  In  consequence  of  this  state  of  things,  Congress,  in 
1849,  passed  an  act  creating  a  new  executive  depart- 
ment, called  "  the  Department  of  the  Interior,"  which 
act  also  provided  for  the  appointment  of  a  head  to  this 
new  branch  of  the  government,  called  the  Secretary  of 
the  Interior.     He  is  appointed  like  all  the  other  Secre- 
taries, is  one  of  the  high  officers  of  the  Government,  is 
a  member  of  the  Cabinet,   and  in   compensation   and 
dignity  ranks  with  the  Secretaries  or  heads  of  the  other 
departments. 

3.  In  this  act  it  was  provided  that  the  Secretary  of 
the  Interior  should  perform  all  the  duties  heretofore  de- 
volving on  the  Secretary  of  State  in   relation   to  the 
office  of  Commissioner  of  Patents ;  in  other  words,  the 
Bureau  of  the  Patent  Office  was  transferred   from  the 
Department  of  State  to  that  of  the  Interior. 


50  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

In  the  same  manner  the  General  Land  Office  was 
transferred  from  the  Treasury  Department  to  this. 

The  supervisory  power  heretofore  exercised  by  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  over  the  accounts  of  the 
marshals,  clerks,  and  other  officers  of  all  the  courts  of 
the  United  States,  was  thereby  placed  in  the  hands  of 
the  new  Secretary.  The  office  of  the  Commissioner  of 
Indian  Affairs,  heretofore  attached  to  the  War  Depart- 
ment, was  also  transferred  to  this  ;  and  the  powers  and 
duties  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  in  relation  to  Indian 
affairs,  were  devolved  on  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 

4.  The  Secretaries  of  War  and  of  the  Navy  were  by 
the  same  act  relieved  of  their  duties  in   regard  to  the 
Commissioner  of  Pensions,  and  those  duties  were  there- 
after to  be  performed  by  the  Secretary  of  the  new  de- 
partment. 

The  Census  Bureau,  heretofore  attached  to  the  State 
Department,  and  the  duties  of  the  Secretary  of  State  in 
relation  thereto,  were  also  transferred  to  this  depart- 
ment. 

To  the  Secretary  was  also  given  the  supervisory 
power  over  the  lead  and  other  mines  belonging  to  tho 
United  States,  heretofore  executed  by  the  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury. 

The  powers  of  the  President  over  the  Commissioners 
of  Public  Buildings  were  also  transferred  to  him. 

5.  He  was  also  charged  w:th  the   control   over  the 
Board  of  Inspectors  and  AVarden  of  tho  Penitentiary  of 
the  District  of  Columbia. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Interior  has  the  same  power  in 


SECRETARY  OF   THE   INTERIOR.  51 

appointing  and  removing  clerks  and  other  subordinates 
in  his  department  that  the  Secretaries  of  the  other  de- 
partments had  over  these  several  bureaus  before  they 
were  transferred  to  this  department. 

This  office  has  a  seal,  •which  must  be  affixed  to  the 
commissions  of  all  its  subordinate  officers. 

The  President  and  Senate  appoint  the  Assistant  Sec. 
retaries. 

From  the  foregoing  it  is  easy  to  understand  what 
branches  of  the  public  service  are  conducted  in  this 
office,  and  what  are  the  duties  of  its  Secretary. 

SECRETAEIES   OF   THE   INTERIOR. 

6.  The  following  is  a  list  of  all  who  have  filled  the 
office  of  Secretary  of  the  Interior  since  the  establish- 
ment of  the  department : 

Thomas  H.  Ewing,  Ohio,  March  7,  1849. 
Alexander  H.  II.  Stuart,  Ya.,  Sept.  12,  1850. 
Eobert  McClelland,  Mich.,  March  5,  1853. 
Jacob  Thompson,  Miss.,  March  6, 1S57. 
Caleb  B.  Smith,  Ind.,  March  5, 1861. 
John  P.  Usher,  Ind.,  Jan.  7, 1863. 
James  Harlan,  Iowa,  1865. 
Orville  H.  Browning,  111.,  1866. 


52  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER    XL 

POST-OFFICE  DEPARTMENT,  AND  POSTMASTER-GENERAL. 

1.  THE  Post  Office  Department,  is  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant in  the  Government ;  and  one  with  -which  the  peo- 
ple have  more  intercourse,  and  with  which  they  are  bet- 
ter acquainted  than  any  other.     A   Post-office  establish- 
ment is  an  institution  by  which  the  Government  undertakes 
to  transmit  letters  and  other  mailable  matter,  to  the  places 
where  directed,  for  the  people;  instead  of  leaving  them  to 
do  this  business  for  themselves,  in  the  best  way  they  can. 
It  is  by  no  means  peculiar  to  our  Government,  but  is  found 
in  every  civilized  country,  and  dates  from  ancient  times. 

2.  To  find  the  basis  of  our  own  establishment,  we  have 
to  look  at  the  Constitution.     There,  in  Art.  1,  Sec.  8,   we 
shall  find  the  words,  "  Congress  shall  have  the  power  to 
establish  post-offices,  and  post  roads."     These  few  words 
are  the  foundation  of  all  our  laws  relating  to  post  offices, 
post  masters,  post  roads,  transportation  of  the  mail,  and 
everything  else  appertaining  to  the  subject. 

3.  Post-offices  existed  in  this  country  before  our  Gov- 
ernment   did;    for   while   we   were    in  a  colonial    state 
under  the  English  Government,  it  had  established  them 
at  all  important   points,  and  also  a  tolerable   mail    sys- 
tem for  that  day  and  age.     These  were    continued  dur- 
ing the  revolution,  which   resulted  in  the  separation  of 


POSTMASTER-GENERAL.  53 

this  country  from  England.  After  our  present  Govern- 
ment became  established,  it  enacted  laws  and  made 
provisions  for  a  Post  Office  department ;  and  this,  with 
such  alterations  and  amendments  as  experience  and  the 
growth  of  the  country  required,  has  remained  and  is  in 
operation  at  the  present  day. 

4.  By  law,  a  Postmaster-General  is  placed  at  the  head 
of  this  department,  who  is  appointed  for  four  years  by 
the  President  and  Senate;  his  office  is  in  the  General  Post 
Office  at  Washington  ;  his  salary  is  $8,000  a  year,  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Cabinet,   and  ranks   as  one  of  the  high 
officers  of  State.      He  has  three  assistants,   who  are  ap- 
pointed in  the  same  manner  as  himself.     He  has  a  seal  of 
his  office,  an  impression  from  which  must  be  affixed  to  the 
commission  of  every  postmaster  in  the  United  States ;  and 
also  to  all  transcripts  of  papers  and  documents  which  may 
be  wanted  from  his  office.      The  seal  establishes  their  au- 
thenticity, and  makes  them  proof  of  the  same  degree  as  the 
original  papers.     He  must  give  bonds  for  the  faithful  per- 
formance of  his  duties,  and  take  the  usual  official  oath  be- 
fore he  can  enter  upon  those  duties. 

HIS  DUTIES. 

5.  The  laws  of  the  department  make  it  his  duty  to  ap- 
point all  other  postmasters  (who  are  styled  in  law,  Deputy 
Postmasters,  but  in  common  language,  simply  Postmas- 
ters), whose  compensation  is  less  than  01,000  per  annum. 
All  others  are  appointed  by  the  President  and  Senate,  or, 
as  ho  is,  himself.  It  is  also  his  duty  to  establish  post-offices 
wherever  he  may  deem  it  necessary ;  to  provide  for  the 
transportation   of  the  mail  on   all  the  post-roads  in  the 
United  States ;  and  to  foreign  countries  by  sea.     He  must 


54  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

give  all  deputies  their  instructions  respecting  their  duties 
and  receive  from  them  their  accounts  of  the  receipts  and 
expenditures  of  their  respective  offices ;  pay  all  expenses 
for  the  transmission  of  the  mails,  and  all  others  which  re- 
late to  the  management  of  his  department ;  and  once  in 
three  months  render  a  quarterly  account  of  all  receipts  and 
expenditures  of  the  post  office  department ;  and  finally 
must  superintend,  control,  and  direct  all  deputy  post- 
masters, agents,  mail  contractors,  and  employees  in  the 
mail  service. 

THE  MINOB  POST  OFFICES. 

6.  The  centre  of  this  great  machine  is  at  Washington, 
the  capital  of  the  nation ;  but  its  branches  extend  like  the 
veins  and  nerves  of  the  human  body,  in  every  direction 
and  to  every  part.  Post  offices,  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  people,  arc  found  in  every  city,  village,  town  and 
neighborhood,  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the 
land. 

During  the  late  civil  war,  a  great  many  of  them  were 
discontinued  in  the  Southern  States;  some  of  which  have 
been  re-established  since  the  close  of  the  war.  For  thia 
reason  we  are  not  able  to  state  the  exact  number  of  post 
offices  in  the  United  States,  at  the  present  time  ;  but  from 
the  number  known  before  the  war,  we  judge  there  are  not 
far  from  thirty  thousand.  Each  has  its  postmaster,  and 
when  necessary,  its  assistants  and  clerks.  This  affords 
some  idea  of  the  vastness  of  this  great  Government  institu- 
tion for  the  diffusion  of  intelligence  among  the  people.  It 
not  only  reaches  out  its  arms  to  the  remotest  boundaries 
of  our  own  country,  but  by  the  agency  of  ships,  they 


POSTMASTER-GENERAL.  55 

stretch  over  the  seas,  and  extend  to  every  part  of  the  hab- 
itable earth. 


POST  KOADS. 

7.  It  is  the  business  of  Congress  to  say  what  roads  shall 
be  post  roads,  and   post   routes,  and  whether  the  mails 
shall  be  carried  by  land  or  by  water.     In  the  exercise  of 
this  power  it  has  declared  that  all  railroads  shall  be  post 
roads.      Post   routes,   are  also   established   between   this 
country  and  foreign  countries,  by  ships.     The  Postmaster 
General  is  empowered  to  contract  with  the  owners  of  ships 
going  to  foreign  countries,  to  carry  the  mails  to  and  from 
the  places  of  their  departure  and  destination.     Thus  the 
ocean  is  made  into  numerous  mail  routes. 

KATES    OF   POSTAGE. 

8.  Cheap  postage  is  of  recent  date.     England  first  tried 
the  experiment,  by  making  one  penny  the  uniform  rate  of 
postage  on  single  letters,  to  all  parts  of  that  kingdom. 
This  was  very  acceptable  to  the  people,  and  worked  so 
well,  that  the  United  States  followed  her  example.     Here 
it  has  proved  equally  satisfactory  to  the  people,  and  a  per. 
feet  success. 

In  establishing  the  present  rates  of  postage,  two  objects 
were  aimed  at;  first,  to  diminish  the  cost  of  sending  let- 
ter?, and  second,  to  make  the  rates  uniform  to  all  parts  of 
the  country  irrespective  of  distance.  Formerly  the  rates 
were  much  higher,  and  were  made  to  depend  on  two  cir- 
cumstances, first,  the  distance  over  which  the  letter  was  to 
be  sent,  and  this  varied  from  six  to  twenty-five  cents  : 


56  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

second,  the  number  of  pieces  on  which  the  letter  was  writ- 
ten, counting  every  piece  of  paper  as  a  letter. 

But  by  recent  laws,  this  has  all  been  changed ;.  any  dis- 
tance within  the  United  States,  makes  no  difference  in  the 
rate  or  charge  for  carrying ;  and  instead  of  counting  the 
pieces  of  paper  used,  weight  is  made  the  basis  of  charge. 
Half  an  ounce  is  reckoned  a  single  letter,  and  every  half 
ounce  more,  or  a  fraction  of  it,  is  counted  as  another- 
Three  cents  is  the  rate  of  a  single  letter,  and  an  addition 
of  three  cents  more  for  every  additional  half  ounce  or  frac- 
tion of  it.  The  uniformity  consists  in  disregarding  dis- 
tance in  the  computation  of  the  rate  charged  for  transpor. 
tation.  The  charges  for  carrying  newspapers,  and  other 
printed  matter,  were  also  greatly  reduced  from  former 
rates.  Formerly,  under  the  old  system,  postage  might  bo 
prepaid,  or  paid  upon  delivery  of  the  letter,  and  the  Gov- 
ernment lost  the  postage  on  all  letters  never  called  for. 
But  under  the  present  system,  all  mailable  matter,  except 
newspapers  and  regular  periodical  publications  sent  to  sub- 
scribers, must  be  prepaid  by  postage  stamps. 

FRANKING   PRIVILEGE. 

9.  This  means  the  right  to  send  letters,  documents,  <fcc., 
through  the  post  office,  free,  or  without  paying  postage 
therefor.  This  privilege  was  so  abused  that  the  law  was 
changed,  and  restricted  to  a  certain  class  of  officers  of  the 
Government,  when  sending  or  receiving  official  communi- 
cations, those  which  related  to  the  business  of  their  re- 
spective offices,  and  to  the  President,  Vice-President, 
members  of  Congress,  and  chiefs  of  the  several  executive 
departments.  Petitions  to  Congress  may  also  be  franked. 


POSTMASTER-GENERAL.  57 

DEAD   LETTERS. 

10.  Dead  Letters  are  those  which  are  never  called  for 
at  the  respective  offices  where  sent.  The  law  directs  that 
they  shall  be  advertised  three  weeks  in  some  newspaper 
in,  or  near  the  post  office  where  the  letter  is ;  and  if  not 
called  for  in  three  months  thereafter,  they  must  be  sent  to 
the  General  Post  Office  at  Washington,  as  Dead  Letters. 
There  they  are  opened,  and  if  they  contain  money  or  val- 
uable papers  they  are  returned  to  the  writers,  and  the 
money  and  papers  are  kept  at  the  General  Post  Office, 
— where  an  account  of  them  is  kept, — and  will  be  returned 
to  the  owners  whenever  they  call  for  them. 

As  in  the  other  departments,  we  append  at  the  end  of 
this  chapter,  a  list  of  all  the  heads  of  this  department, 
from  the  first  down  to  the  present  time. 

Without  wearying  the  reader  with  a  detailed  statement 
of  the  condition  of  the  department  for  every  year  since  its 
establishment,  we  give  the  number  of  offices,  and  the 
number  of  miles  of  post  roads  as  they  were  every  tenth 
year.  This  will  be  found  sufficient  to  show  the  wonderful 
increase  of  business  in  this  branch  of  the  public  service 
since  1790,  the  first  year  after  the  Government  was  put 
into  operation. 

In  1790  there  were  but  75  poet  offices,  and  1,875  m.  of  post  roads. 

1800  "  903             "  20,817  « 

1810  «  2,300  «  36,400 

1820  «  4,500  "  72,492  « 

1830  «  8,450             "  115,176  " 

1840  "  13,463             «  155,739  « 

1850  «  18,417  «  178,672  « 

18GO  «  28,498  «  240,594  « 


68  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

POSTMASTERS  GENERAL. 

Samuel  Osgood,  Mass.,  Sept.  26,  1789. 
Timothy  Pickering,  Mass.,  Aug.  12, 1791. 
Joseph  Habersham,  Ga.,  Feb.  25, 1795. 
Gideon  Granger,  Ct.,  Nov.  28,  1801. 
Reuben  J.  Meigs,  0.,  March  17,  1814. 
John  McLean,  0.,  June  25,  1823. 
William  J.  Barry,  Ky.,  March  9, 1829. 
Amos  Kendall,  Ky.,  March  1,  1835. 
John  M.  Niles,  Ct.,  May  18,  1840. 
Francis  Granger,  N.  Y.,  March  C,  1841. 
Charles  A.  Wickliff,  Ky.,  Sept.  13,  1841. 
Cave  Johnson,  Tenn.,  March  5, 1845. 
Jacob  Collamer,  Vt,  March  7,  1849. 
Nathan  K.  Hall,  N.  Y.,  July  20,  1850. 
S.  D.  Hubbard,  Ct.,  Aug  31,  1852. 
James  Campbell,  Pa.,  March  5,  1853. 
Aaron  V.  Brown,  Tenn.,  March  G,  1857. 
Joseph  Holt,  Ky.,  March  14, 1859. 
Horatio  King,  Jan.  1, 1861. 
Montgomery  Blair,  Md.,  March  7, 1861. 
"William  Dennisnn,  O.,  Oct.  1, 1864. 
Alexander  W.  Randall,  Wis.,  July  15, 1866. 


ATTORNEY-GENERAL.  59 


CHAPTER  XII.- 
Attorney   General. 

THE  Attorney-General  of  the  United  States,  is  one  of 
the  high  officers  of  the  Government,  and  is  a  very  re- 
sponsible one.  The  law  by  which  the  office  of  Attorney- 
Generarwas  created  we  find  in  an  Act  passed  as  far  back 
as  1789,  at  the  first  session  ever  held  by  Congress;  in 
which  his  duties  are  thus  defined  :  "  Whose  duty  it  shall 
be  to  prosecute  and  conduct  all  suits  in  the  Supreme 
Court,  in  Avhich  the  United  States  shall  be  concerned  ;  and 
to  give  his  advice  and  opinion  upon  questions  of  law  when 
required  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  ;  or  when 
requested  by  the  heads  of  departments,  touching  any 
matters  that  may  concern  their  departments." 

By  an  Act  passed  in  1801,  he  is  charged  with  the  gen- 
eral superintendence  of  all  the  Attorneys  and  Marshals 
in  all  the  Judicial  Districts  in  the  United  States  and  Ter- 
ritories, as  to  the  manner  of  discharging  their  duties. 

He  is  appointed  by  the  President  and  Senate,  and  holds 
his  office  at  the  pleasure  of  the  President. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Cabinet,  and  now  receives  a  sal- 
ary of  eight  thousand  dollars  per  year.  He  has  an  as- 
sistant, and  clerks  to  aid  him  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties. 

His  office  is  in  Washington. 

This,  with  the  preceding  six  chapters,  contains  a  brief 
account  of  what  are  properly  called  Executive  depart- 


60  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

ments  of  the  Government ;  Sub-departments  are  properly 
termed  Bureaus,  while  the  three  great  divisions  into 
which  the  Constitution  divides  the  Governmental  powers, 
viz.,  the  Legislative,  Executive,  and  Judicial,  should  be 
denominated  branches. 

ATTOKNEYS-GEKEEAL. 

Edmund  Randolph,  Va.,  Sept.  26,  1789. 
William  Bradford,  Pa.,  June  27,  1794. 
Charles  Lee,  Va.,  Dec.  10,  1795. 
T.  Parsons,  Mass.,  Feb.  20,  1800. 
Levi  Lincoln,  Mass.,  March  5,  1801. 
Robert  Smith,  Md.,  March  2,  1805. 
John  Breckenridge,  Ky.,  Dec.  1806. 
Caesar  A?Rodney,  Del.,  Jan.  20,  1807. 
William  Pinckney,  Md.,  Dec.  11,  1811. 
Richard  Rush,  Pa.,  Feb.  10,  1814 
William  Wirt,  Md.,  Dec.  16,  1817. 
John  McPherson  Berrian,  Ga.,  Mar.  9,  1829. 
Roger  B.  Taney,  Md.,  July  20,  1831. 
Benjamin  F.  Butler,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  15,  1833. 
Felix  Grundy,  Tenn.,  July  7,  1838. 
Henry  D.  Griffin,  Pa.,  Jan.,  11,  1840. 
John  J.  Crittenden,  Ky.,  Mar.  5,  1841. 
Hugh  S.  Legare,C.  S.,  Sept.,  13,  1841. 
John  Nelson,  Md.,  July  1,  1843. 
John  Y.  Mason,  Va.,  Mar.  5,  1845. 
Nathan  Clifford,  Me.,  Oct.  16,  1846. 
Isaac  Toucey,  Ct.,  Jan.  21,  1848. 
Reverdy  Johnson,  Md.,  Mar.  7,  1849. 


ATTORNEYS-  GENERAL. 

John  J.  Crittenden,  Ky.,  July  20, 1850. 
Caleb  Gushing,  Mass.,  Mar.  5,  1853. 
Jeremiah  S.  Black,  Pa ,  Mar.  6,  1857. 
Edwin  M.  Stanton,  Pa.,  Dee.  14,  1860. 
Edward  Bates,  Mo.,  Mar.  5,  1861. 
James  Speed,  Ky.,  Dec.  1864. 
Henry  Stanberry,  O.,  July,  1866. 


62  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

CHAPTER  XHI. 
The  Cabinet. 

1.  THE  Cabinet  is  composed  of  the  Secretaries  of  State, 
War,  Navy,  Treasury,  and  Interior,  together  with  the 
Postmaster-General  and  the  Attorney-General.  Seven  in 
all.  They  are  ex-offido  members  of  the  Cabinet,  and  the 
President's  advisers.  All  of  them  are  nominated  to  their 
respective  offices,  as  Secretaries,  &c.,  by  him ;  but  cannot 
act,  unless  by  the  consent  of  the  Senate.  In  this  respect, 
they  arc  like  all  other  officers  appointed  by  the  President 
and  Senate,  although  in  common  parlance  it  is  often 
said  the  President  chooses  his  own  Cabinet.  This  might 
seem  to  mean  that  he,  and  he  alone  chooses  them,  without 
advice,  or  consultation  with  any  body. 

2.  The  Senate,  rarely,  if  ever,  refuses  consent  to  the 
nominations  of  the  President,  for  these  appointments;  for 
it  is  conceded  that  without  some  extraordinaiy  objection, 
such  as  notorious  bad  character,  or  unfitness  for  the  posi- 
tion, the  President  should  have  the  selection  of  his  own 
advisers. 

3.  When   they  meet   with  the  President,  to  consult 
with  him,  on  the  affairs  and  administration  of  the  govern- 
ment, it  is  called  "  a  Cabinet  meeting."     Our  foreign  af- 
fairs and  relations  with  other  governments  form  the  sub- 
jects of  much  of  their  deliberations;  in  England,  and  in 
most  of  the  countries  in  Europe,  the  men  who  fill  these 
positions  in  these  governments,  are  called  ministers.     In 
England  they  also  hold  seats  in  Parliament,  and  debate 


THE   CABINET.  -„ 

DO 

and  vote  like  other  members ;  but  in  the  United  States 
Government,  the  members  of  tha  Cabinet  neither  have 
seats  in  Congress,  nor  take  any  part  in  its  proceedings. 
As  Secretaries,  and  heads  of  their  respective  departments, 
they  annually  report  to  Congress,  what  has  been  done  in 
and  what  is  the  state  and  condition  of  their  departments. 
They  also  suggest,  or  recommend  to  Congress,  such  legis- 
lation, as  in  their  judgment  is  required  for  that  branch  oi 
the  government  under  their  supervision. 

4.  It  is  therefore  easily  understood,  that  the  Cabinet  is 
not  a  body  of  officials  chosen  as  the  advisers  of  the  Presi- 
dent ;  and  that  that  is  their  only  duty.     Not   so ;   their 
membership  in  the  Cabinet  only  grows  out  of  the  offices 
or  places  they  hold  in  the  government.     The  moment  any 
one  ceases  to  hold  that  office,  that  moment  he  ceases  to  be 
a  member  of  the  Cabinet. 

5.  To  the  foregoing,  we  will  add  a  little  of  the  history 
of  the   Cabinet :    under  Washington's  Administration  it 
consisted   of  but  three  members,  viz:  the  Secretary  of 
State,  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  and  the  Secretary  of 
"War.     There  was  no  Secretary  of  the  Navy  during  his 
Administration.     The  department  of  the  Navy  was  not 
established  until  1798,  when  John  Adams  was  President ; 
under  his  Administration  it  consisted  of  four  members,  for 
the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  was  added,  and  so  it  continued 
down  to  Jackson's  Administration  (1829 — 1837,)  when  the 
Postmaster-General  was  made  a  member ;  so  that  it  con- 
sisted of  five  members.     It  stood  at  that  number  until 
John  Tyler  became  the  acting  President,  from  the  death 
of  President  Harnson,  1841 — 1845,  when  the  Attorney- 
General  was  made  a  member;  and  in  1849.  on  the  third  of 


64  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

March,  the  last  day  of  Mr.  Folk's  administration,  the  de- 
partment of  the  Interior  was  established,  and  the  office  of 
"  Secretary  of  the  Interior"  was  created,  and  he  also  was 
made  a  member  of  the  Cabinet.  Under  President  Taylor's 
administration,  which  commenced  on  the  fourth  of  March, 
1849,  and  since,  the  number  of  Cabinet  officers  has  been 
seven.  Whether  it  has  reached  its  maximum,  or  not,  de. 
pends  on  what  Congress  may  do  hereafter  in  creating 
other  great  departments  of  Government.  If  they  do  so, 
their  heads,  or  Secretaries,  will  probably  be  added  to  the 
Cabinet. 

6.  As  a  piece  of  historical  information,  and  for  the  con- 
venience of  ready  reference,  we  here  insert  the  names  of 
those  who  have  been  members  of  the  Cabinet,  under  all 
the  adminstrations,  from  Washington's  (the  first),  down  to 
the  present  year  (1867):  and  for  the  purpose  of  showing 
who  was  the  Vice-President,  with  each  President ;  we  in- 
sert his  name  also,  although  he  is  never  a  member  of  the 
Cabinet.  By  this  it  will  be  seen  that  several  persons  oc- 
cupied the  same  positions  under  the  same  administra- 
tions ;  and  that  upon  every  change  of  the  heads  of  de- 
partments, the  Cabinet  was  changed. 

FIRST  ADMINISTRATION,  FROM  1789  TO  1797,— 8  TEARS. 

George  Washington,  Va.,  Resident. 
John  Adams,  Mass.,  Vice-President. 

CABINET. 

Secretaries  of  State. 
Thomas  Jefferson,  Va. 
Edmund  Randolph,  Va. 


THE   CABINET.  65 

Timothy  Pickering,  Mass. 

Secretaries  of  the  Treasury. 
Alexander  Hamilton,  N.  Y. 
Oliver  Wolcott,  Conn. 

Secretaries  of  War. 
Timothy  Pickering,  Mass. 
James  McHenry,  Md. 
Henry  Knox,  Mass. 

SECOND  ADMINISTRATION,   1797  TO   1801, 4  YEABS. 

John  Adams,  Mass.,  President. 

Vice-President. 
Thomas  Jefferson,  Va. 

CABINET. 

Secretaries  of  State. 
Timothy  Pickering,  Mass. 
John  Marshall,  Va. 

Secretaries  of  the  Treasury. 
Oliver  Wolcott,  Ct. 
Samuel  Dexter,  Mass. 

Secretaries  of  War. 
James  McHenry,  Md. 
Samuel  Dexter,  Mass. 
Koger  Griswold. 

Secretaries  of  the  Navy. 
George  Cabot,  Mass. 
Benjamin  Stoddert,  Md. 


66  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

THIRD   ADMINISTRATION,  1801  TO  1809, 8  YEARS. 

Thomas  Jefferson,  Va.,  President. 

Vice- Presidents. 
Aaron  Burr,  N.  Y. 
George  Clinton,  N.  Y. 

CABINET. 

Secretary  of  State, 
James  Madison,  Va. 

Secretaries  of  the  Treasury. 
Samuel  Dexter,  Mass. 
Albert  Gallatin,  Pa. 

Secretary  of  War. 
Henry  Dearborn,  Mass. 

Secretaries  of  Navy 
"Benjamin  Stock! ert,  Md., 
Robert  Smith,  Md. 

FOURTH  ADMINISTRATION,  1809  TO  1817, — 8  YEARS. 

James  Madison,  Va.  President. 

Vice  Presidents. 
George  Clinton,  N.  Y. 
Elbridge  Gerry,  Mass. 

CABINET. 

Secretaries  of  State. 
Robert  Smith,  Md. 
James  Monroe,  Va. 

Secretaries  of  the  Treasury. 
Albert  Gallatin,  Pa. 


THE  CABINET. 

George  W.  Campbell,  Tenn. 
Alexander  J.  Dallas,  Pa. 

Secretaries  of  War. 
William  Eustis,  Mass. 
John  Armstrong,  N.  Y. 
James  Monroe,  Va. 
William  H.  Crawford,  Ga, 

Secretaries  of  Navy. 
Paul  Hamilton,  S.  C. 
William  Jones,  Pa. 
B.  W.  Crowningshield,  Mass. 

FIFTH  ADMINISTRATION,    1817  TO  1825, — 8  TEAXS. 

James  Monroe,  Va.  President. 

Vice  President. 
Daniel  D.  Tompkins,  K  Y. 

CABINET. 

Secretary  of  State. 
John  Q.  Adams,  Mass. 

Secretary  of  the  Treasury* 
William  H.  Crawford,  Ga. 
Secretaries  of  War. 
Isaac  Shelby,  Ky. 
John  C.  Calhoun,  S.  C. 

Secretaries  of  the  Navy. 
B.  W.  Crowningshield,  Mass. 
Smith  Thompson,  N.  Y. 
Sam'l  L.  Southard,  N.  J. 
C 


C6  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.   GOVERNMENT. 

SIXTH  ADMINISTRATION,  1825  TO  1829, — 4  TEARS. 

John  Q.  Adams,  Mass.,  President. 

Vice  President. 
John  C.  Calhoun,  S.  C. 

CABINET. 

Secretary  of  State. 
Henry  Clay,  Ky. 

Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 
Richard  Rush,  Pa. 

Secretaries  of  War. 
James  Barbour,  Va. 
Peter  B.  Porter,  N.  Y. 

Secretary  of  Navy. 
Samuel  L.  Southard,  N.  J. 

SEVENTH   ADMINISTRATION,  1829  TO  1837, — 8  TEARS. 

Andrew  Jackson,  Tenn..  President. 

Vice  Presidents. 
John  Calhoun,  S.  C. 
Martin  Van  Buren,  N.  Y. 

CABINET. 

Secretaries  of  State. 
Martin  Van  Buren,  N.  Y. 
Edward  Livingston,  La. 
Louis  McLane,  Del. 
John  Forsyth,  Geo. 


THE  CABINET.  gg 

Secretaries  of  the  Treasury. 
Samuel  D.  Inghara,  Pa. 
Louis  McLane,  Del. 
William  J.  Duane,  Pa. 
Roger  B.  Taney,  Md. 
Levi  Woodbuiy,  N.  H. 

Secretaries  of  War. 
John  H.  Eaton,  Tenn. 
Lewis  Cass,  Mich. 
Benjamin  F.  Butler,  K  Y. 

Secretaries  of  tJie  Navy. 
John  Branch,  N.  C. 
Levi  Woodbuiy,  N.  H. 
Mahlon  Dickerson,  N.  J. 

Postmasters-  General,  and  for  the  first  time  considered 
members  of  the  Cabinet. 

John  McLean,  O. 
William  F.  Barry,  Ky. 
Amos  Kendall,  Ky. 

EIGHTH  ADMINISTRATION,  1837  TO  1841, — 4  TEARS. 

Martin  Van  Buren,  N.  Y.,  President. 

Vice  President. 
Richard  M.  Johnson,  Ky. 

CABINET. 

Secretary  of  State. 
John  Forsyth,  Geo. 


7()  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 
Levi  Woodbury,  N.  H. 

Secretary  of  War. 
Joel  R.  Poinsett,  S.  C. 

Secretaries  of  the  Navy. 
Mahlon  Dickerson,  N.  J. 
James  K.  Paulding,  N.  Y. 

Postmasters-  General. 
Amos  Kendall,  Ky. 
John  M.  Niles,  Ct. 

NINTH    ADMINISTRATION,    MARCH  4,   1841,  TO   APRIL   4, 
1841. 

William  Henry  Harrison,  O.,  President. 

Vice  President. 
John  Tyler,  Va. 

Secretary  of  State, 
Daniel  Webster,  Mass. 

Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 
Thomas  Ewing,  O. 

Secretary  of  War. 
John  Bell,  Tenn. 

Secretary  of  Navy. 
George  E.  Badger,  K  C. 

Postmaster-  General. 
Gideon  Granger,  N".  Y. 

TENTH  ADMINISTRATION,    APRIL   6,   1841,  TO  MARCH  4, 

1845. 

John  Tyler,  Va.,  (acting)  President,  by  death  of 
Harrison. 


THE  CABINET.  71 

CABINET. 

Secretaries  of  State. 
Daniel  "Webster,  Mass. 
Abel  P.  Usher,  Va. 
John  C.  Calhoun,  S.  C. 

Secretaries  of  the  Treasiery. 
Thomas  Ewing,  O. 
Walter  Forward,  Pa. 
John  C.  Spencer,  N.  Y. 
George  M.  Bibb,  Ky. 

Secretaries  of  War. 
John  Bell,  Tenn. 
John  C.  Spencer,  N".  Y. 
James  M.  Porter,  Pa. 
William  Wilkins,  Pa. 

Secretaries  of  the  Navy, 
George  E.  Badger,  1ST.  C. 
Abel  P.  Upsher,  Va. 
David  Henshaw,  Mass. 
G.  W.  Gilmer,  Va. 
John  Y.  Mason,  Va. 

Attorneys-  General. 
Hugh  S.  Legare,  S.  C. 
John  Nelson,  Md. 

Postmasters-  General. 
Francis  G.  Granger,  1ST.  Y. 
Charles  A.  Wickliffe,  Ky. 

ELEVENTH  ADMINISTRATION,  MARCH  4,  1845,    TO    MARCH    4, 
1849,— 4  YEARS. 

James  K.  Polk,  Tenn.,  President. 


72   •  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

Vice-Presiden  t. 
George  M.  Dallas,  Pa. 

CABINET. 

Secretary  of  State 
James  Buchanan,  Pa. 

Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 
Bobert  J.Walker,  Miss. 

Secretary  of  War. 
William  L.  Marcy,  N.  Y. 

Secretaries  of  -ZVauy. 
George  Bancroft,  Mass. 
John  Y.  Mason,  Va. 

Postmaster-  General. 
Cave  Johnson,  Tenn. 

Attorneys-  General. 
John  Y.  Mason,  Va. 
Nathan  Clifford,  Me. 
Isaac  Toucey,  Ct. 

TWELFTH  ADMINISTRATION,  MARCH  4,  1849,  TO  JULY  10. 
1850, 1    YEAR   AND  4  MONTHS. 

Zachary  Taylor,  La.,  President. 

Y'ic?  President. 
Millard  Fillmorc,  N.  Y. 

CABINET. 

Secretary  of  State. 
John  M.  Clayton,  Del. 

Secretary  of  "War. 
George  W.  Crawford,  Geo. 

Secretary  of  ilic  Treasury. 
"William  M.  Meredith,  Pa, 


THE  CABINET.  .  73 

Secretary  of  the  Navy. 
William  B.  Preston,  Va. 

Secretary  of  the  Interior. 
Thomas  Ewing,  Ohio. 

Postmaster-  Gen  eral. 
Jacob  Collamer,  Vt, 

Attorney-  General. 
Keverdy  Johnson,  Md. 

THIRTEENTH    ADMINISTRATION,    JULY  10,  1850,   TO   MARCH 
4,    1853, — 2    YEAES  AND  8  MONTHS. 

Millard  Fillmore  (Acting)  President,  by  death  of  Tay- 
lor— no  Vice  President 


Daniel  "Webster,  Mass.,  Secretary  of  State. 
Thomas  Corwin,  Ohio,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 
Charles  M.  Conrad,  La.  «        War. 

Wm.  A.  Graham,  N.  C.,  "         the  Navy. 

Alex.  H.  II.  Stuart,  Va.,         "        the  Interior. 
Nathan  K.  Hall,  N.  Y.,  Postmaster-General. 
John  J.  Crittenden,  Ky.,  Attorney-General. 

FOURTEENTH  ADMINISTRATION',  MARCH  4,  1853,  TO 
MARCH  4,  1857 — 4  YEARS. 

Franklin  Pierce,  N.  H.,  President. 
Wm.  K.  King,  of  Ala.,  who  was  elected  Vice-Presi- 
dent  with  Mr.  Pierce,  but  died  before  he  took  his  seat  j 


74  OUTLINES  OP  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

and  there  was  no  Vice-Preside nt  during  Pierce's  ad- 
ministration. 

CABINET. 

William  L.  Marcy,  N.  Y.,  Secretary  of  State. 
James  Guthrie.  Ky.,  "         the  Treasury. 

Jeflerson  Davis,  Miss.,  "          of  Wai-. 

J.  C.  Dobbin.  N.  CL  "          the  Navy. 

Kobert  McClelland,  Mich.,      "          the  Interior. 
James  Campbell,  Pa,,  Postmaster-General. 
Caleb  Gushing,  Mass.,  Attorney-General. 

FIFTEENTH    ADMINISTKATION,   MARCH  4,  1857,  TO 
MAKCH  4,    1861. 

James  Buchanan,  Pa.,  President. 
John  C.  Breckinridge,  Vice-President. 


Lewis  Cass,  Mich.,  and  Jeremiah  S.  Black,  Pa.,  Sec- 
retaries of  State. 

Howell  Cobb,  Ga.,  Philip  F.  Thomas,  and  John  A. 
Dix,  N.  Y.,  Secretaries  of  the  Treasury. 

John  B.  Floyd,  Va.,  and  Joseph  Holt,  Ky.,  Secreta- 
ries of  War. 

Isaac  Toucey,  Ct,  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

Jacob  Thompson,  Miss.,  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 

Aaron  V.  Brown,  Tenn.,  Joseph  Holt,  Ky.,  and  Ho- 
ratio King,  Postmasters-General. 

Jeremiah  S.  Black,  Pa.,  and  Edwin  M.  Stanton,  Pa., 
Attorneys-General 


THE   CABINET.  75 

SIXTEENTH  ADMINISTRATION,  MARCH  4,  1861,  TO  APRIL  12, 
1865 4  YEARS,  1  MONTH,  «AND  8  DAYS. 

Abraham  Lincoln,  111.,  President. 

Hannibal  Hamlin,  Me.,  Vice-President,  first  term, 
and  Andrew  Johnson,  Term.,  Vice-President,  second 
term. 

CABINET. 

William  H.  Seward,  N.  Y..  Secretary  of  State. 

Salmon  P.  Chase,  Ohio,  Wm.  P.  Fessenden,  Me., 
Huch  McCulloch,  Ind.,  Secretaries  of  the  Treasury. 

Simon  Cameron,  Pa.,  Edwin  M.  Stanton,  Pa.,  Secre- 
taries of  War. 

Gideon  Welles,  Conn.,  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

John  P.  Upsher,  Ind.,  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 

Montgomery  Blair,  Md.,  William  Dennison,  O., 
Postmasters-General . 

Edward  Bates,  Mo.,  James  Speed,  Ky.,  Attorneys- 
General. 

SEVENTEENTH    ADMINISTRATION,  APRIL  12,  1865  TO  MARCH 

4:,  1869 — IF  THE    PRESIDENT  DOES  NOT  DIE,  DOES  NOT 

RESIGN,    OR   IS   NOT   IMPEACHED. 

Andrew  Johnson,  Acting  President. 
No  Vice-President. 


William  H.  Seward,  K.  Y.,  Secretary  of  State. 
Hugh  McCulloch,  Ind.,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 
Edwin  M.  Stanton,  Pa.,  Secretary  of  War. 
Gideon  Welles,  Conn.,  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 


76  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

James  Harlan,  Iowa,  Orville  II.  Browning,  111.,  Secre- 
taries of  the  Interior. 

James  Speed,  Ky.,  Henry  Stanbery,  Ohio,  Attorneys- 
General. 

William  Dennision,  Ohio,  Alexander  W.  Kandall,  111., 
Postmasters-General. 


UNITED  STATES  COURTS.    -  :77 


CHAPTER  XIV. 
United  States  Courts. 

1 .  UNDER  this  caption,  we  need  make  but  a  few  general 
remarks  ;  for  under  the  appropriate  titles  of  the  different 
kinds  of  Courts  we  have  treated  of  each,  with  considerable 
detail.  The  legal  tribunals  created  by  acts  of  Congress, 
and  consequently  called  United  States  Courts,  are  known 
by  the  names  of  the  United  States  Supreme  Court,  the 
Circuit  Courts,  the  District  Courts,  and  the  Court  of 
Claims.  To  these,  must  be  added  the  local  courts  in  the 
District  of  Columbia,  and  the  Territorial  courts.  The 
former  are  permanent  institutions ;  as  much  so  as  the 
.Circuit  or  District  Courts.  But  the  latter  are  temporary  ; 
designed  to  last  only  during  the  time  the  Territorial 
Government  lasts ;  for  when  the  Territory  is  admitted  as 
a  State,  its  former  Government  ceases  to  exist ;  and  as 
the  Courts  are  a  part  of  the  Government,  they  also  pass 
away,  and  State  Courts  are  created  in  their  places. 

2.  These  brief  remarks  are  merely  introductory  to  the 
four  following  chapters,  in  which  the  reader  will  find 
a  fuller  account  of  the  United  States  Courts  ;  and  we  hope 
a  better  understanding  of  that  branch  of  the  Government 
denominated  the  Judiciary. 

Co 
J 


7*8  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  XV. 
Supreme  Court. 

1.  WE  have  before  stated  that  the  Government  of  the 
United  States  was  divided  into  three  branches  or  great 
departments; — the  Legislature,  the  Executive  and  the  Ju- 
diciary.    The  two    former   -we   have    already   described. 
We  come  now  to  the  third,  which  although  the  last,  is  by 
no  means  the  least  part  of  the  great  machine  by  which  the 
people  are  governed,    and  their  rights  protected ;   when 
our  Government  is  spoken  of,  in  a  figurative  sense,  as  an 
arch,  the  Judicial  Department  is  very  appropriately  styled, 
"  the  key  stone  of  the  Arch ;"  for  as  the  Arch  would  fall 
without  the  key  stone,  so  would  our  form  of  Government 
fall  without  the  Judicial  branch ;  for  in  all  cases  of  dispute 
or  disagreement  as  to  what  the  Constitution  means,  or  how 
the  laws  should  be  construed   and  interpreted,  we  look 
to  the  Judicial  decisions  for  the  settlement  of  all  such  ques- 
tions. 

2.  And  especially  do  we  look  to  the  decisions  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States;  for  it  is  the  highest 
tribunal  in  the  nation.     Its  decisions  are  final,  for  there 
is   no    superior  tribunal    to   which   questions   or   causes 
can  be  taken ;  and  when  it  has,  in  due  form,  declared  how 
the  Constitution  must    be  understood,    or  how  the  laws 
should  be  interpreted   and   applied,  this  decision  settles 


SUPREME  COURT.  79 

the  matter  and  becomes  the  law  of  the  land,  as  to  the  quesx 
tions  involved  in  the  decision. 

3.  This  Court  at  the  present  time  has  one  Chief  Justice 
and  nine  associate  Justices ;  all  appointed  by  the  President, 
by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate.      They 
are  appointed  for  life,  or  during  good  behavior ;  they  may 
however  be  impeached  for  bribery,  or  other  high  crimes, 
and  then  removed  from  office.     They  may  also  resign ;  for 
there  is  no  power  which  can  compel  any  man  to  hold  office  ; 
but  if  they  conduct  themselves  properly,  and  choose  to  re- 
tain their  offices,  there  is  no  power  by  which    they  can 
be  removed,    except   the    power   of  death.      The  -Con- 
stitution  itself  makes  this    provision,  in    order   that  the 
Judges  may  be  removed  as  far  as  possible  from  the  influ- 
ence of  party  pclitics.      They  have  nothing  to  fear  from 
the  success  or  defeat  of  any  political  party.     It  is  there- 
fore expected  that  their  decisions  will  not  be  biased  by 
party  or  political  considerations ;  and  it  may  not  be  amiss 
to  say  that  the  provision  for  keeping  the  judges  of  the 
United  States  Courts  in  office  for  life,  meets  with  almost 
universal  approbation ;  and  has  caused  many  to  hope  that 
the  States  would  alter  their  constitutions  and  adopt  the  same 
plan ;  believing  it  to  be  the  surest  way  of  preserving  a 
pure  and    independent    Judiciary,  on   which  depend  the 
rights  and  liberties  of  every  citizen  of  the  commonwealth. 

4.  This  Court  holds  but  one  term  in  a  year,  which  com- 
mences on  the  first  Monday  of  December,  and  sits  until  it 
has  disposed  of  the  business  before  it ;  its  sessions  are  al- 
ways held  at  Washington,  the  capitol  of  the  Nation  ;  there 
it  has  access  to  the   Congressional    and    Law  Libraries, 


80  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

and  to  all  the  departments  and  records  of  the  Government, 
when  necessary. 

There  is  a  class  of  causes  which  may  be  commenced  in 
this  Court.  In  these  cases  it  has  original  jurisdiction. 
They  are  such  as  affect  ambassadors,  other  public  minis- 
ters, and  consuls  ;  and  those  in  which  a  State  shall  be  a 
party.  In  other  cases  it  has  only  appellate  jurisdiction. 
The  greater  part  of  its  business  is  to  hear  and  determine 
appeals  from  inferior  courts,  mainly  from  the  United 
States  Circuit  courts ;  and  in  some  instances  from  the 
highest  State  courts. 

5.  It  has  not  only  original,  but  exclusive  jurisdiction 
in  causes  where  a  State  is  a  party,  and  when  proceedings 
or  suits  against  ambassadors,  or  other  public  ministers  or 
their  servants  are  instituted.     Its  power  to  try  appeals 
from  lower  courts  is  called  its  appellate  jurisdiction,  and 
gives  it  the  position  of  the  highest  Court  in  the  nation. 

It  has  power  also  to  restrain,  or  to  prohibit  proceedings 
in  the  United  States  District  courts,  when  acting  as 
courts  of  Admiralty;  or  in  cases  of  maritime  jurisdiction. 
The  Judges  of  this  Court  hold  the  Circuit  courts,  and 
allot  themselves  among  the  judicial  Circuits.  The  Chief 
Justice  receives  $6,500  per  year  salary,  and  the  associate 
justices  $6,000. 

The  practice  and  rules  of  procedure  in  this  Court,  are 
very  similar  to  those  of  the  Courts  of  Chancery,  and 
King's  Bench  in  England.  Issues  of  fact  are  tried  by 
jury,  the  same  as  in  other  Courts,  against  citizens  of  the 
United  States. 

OFFICERS  OF  THE  COURT. 

6.  The     officers    of    this    tribunal    are    the     Judges, 


SUPREME  COURT.  gi 

the  Attorney-General,  a  clerk,  a  crier,  and  a  reporter.  The 
three  last  named  are  appointed  by  the  Court.  It  is  the  duty 
of  the  Marshal  of  the  District  of  Columbia  to  attend  this 
Court,  and  to  serve  process  issuing  from  it. 

An  Attorney  or  Counsellor-at-law,  to  be  admitted  to 
practice  in  this  Court,  must  have  been  such  in  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  State  where  he  lives. 

7.  The  following  are  the  names  of  all  the  chief  justices 
f>f  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  from  its  es- 
tablishment to  the  present  time ;  with  the  dates  of  their 
appointments  and  the  States  from  which  they  were  ap- 
pointed. 

John  Jay,  N.  Y.,  Sept,  26,  1789. 
John  Kutledge,  S.  C.,  July  1,  1795. 
William  Cushing,  Mass.,  Jan.  27,  1796 
Oliver  Ellsworth,  Ct.,  March  4, 1796. 
John  Jay,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  19,  1800. 
John  Marshall,  Va.,  Jan.  27,  1801. 
Roger  B.  Taney,  Md.,  Dec.  28,  1835. 
Salmon  P.  Chase,  O. 

8.  The  following  are  the  names  of  the  associate  justices, 
with  the  dates  of  their  appointments  and  the  States  from 
which  they  were  appointed. 

John  Rutledge,  S.  C.,  1789. 
William  Cushing,  Mass.,  1789. 
Robert  H.  Harrison,  Md.,  1789 
James  Wilson,  Pa.,  1789. 
John  Blair,  Va.,  1789. 
James  Iredell,  N.  C.,  1790. 
Thomas  Johnson,  Md.,  1791. 
William  Patterson,  N.  Y.,  1793 


83  OUTLINES  OP  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

Samuel  Chase,  Md.,  179G. 
Bushrod  Washington,  Ya.,  1798. 
William  Johnson,  S.  C.,  1804. 
Brockholst  Livingston,  N.  Y.,  1807. 
Thomas  Todd,  Va.,  1807. 
Levi  Lincoln,*  Mass.,  1811. 
John  Q.  Adams,*  Mass.,  1811. 
Gabriel  Duvall,  Md  ,  1811. 
Joseph  Story,  Mass.,  1811. 
Smith  Thompson,  N.  Y.,  1823. 
Robert  Trimble,  Ky.,  1823. 
John  McLean,  O.,  1829. 
Henry,  Baldwin,  Pa.,  1830. 
James  M.  Wayne,  Ga.,  1835. 
Philip  Barbour,  Va.,  1836. 
John  McKinley,  Ala.,  1837. 
John  Catron,  Tenn.,  1837. 
Peter  V.  Daniel,  Va.,  1841. 
Samuel  Nelson,  N.  Y.,  1845. 
Levi  Woodbury,  N.  H.,  1845. 
Robert  C.  Grier,  Va.,  1846. 
Benjamin  R.  Curtis,  Mass.,  1851. 
John  A.  Campbell,  Ala.,  1853. 
Nathan  Clifford,~Me.,  1858. 
Noah  Swayne,  O.,  1862. 
Samuel  Miller,  Iowa,  1862. 
Stephen  J.  Field,  Cal. 

*  Declined  the  appointment. 


CIRCUITS. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 
Circuits  and  Circuit  Courts. 

1.  IN  the  last  Chapter  we  gave  an  account  of  the  United 
States  Supreme  Court.  We  now  come  to  the  United 
States  Circuit  Courts,  the  next  in  dignity,  power,  and 
jurisdiction.  Unlike  the  Supreme  Court,  which,  as 
stated,  is  always  held  in  Washington,  the  circuit  courts 
are  held  in  every  State,  at  such  times  and  places  as 
Congress  by  law  directs.  It  would  add  some  interest 
and  utility  to  our  work  if  they  were  inserted  here,  so 
as  to  show  when  and  where  these  courts  are  held. 
But  we  omit  this,  because  they  are  so  often  changed, 
that  what  is  now  correct,  might  not  remain  so  after  an- 
other session  of  Congress  ;  these  changes  are  made  to  ac- 
commodate the  people  in  the  State,  or  the  judges  of 
the  Court.  As  now  arranged,  the  whole  of  the  States 
are  divided  into  nine  circuits,  each  circuit  comprising 
several  States ;  some  more  and  some  less,  according  to 
the  size  and  population  of  the  States  comprised  in  a 
circuit.  Then  the  Court  is  held  in  each  State  in  the 
circuit.  This  arrangement  is  made  in  order  to  bring 
these  courts  within  convenient  reach  of  all  the  peoplo 
in  every  part  of  the  country. 

2  The  circuit  courts  are  held  by  the  judges  of  the 
Supreme  Court,  who  allot  the  circuits  among  them- 


84  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S/  GOVERNMENT. 

selves,  and  then  travel  each  through  his  own  circuit, 
until  he  has  visited  and  held  a  session  in  every  State 
which  lies  within  it.  A  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court 
is  the  presiding  and  supreme  magistrate  in  every 
circuit  court,  but  the  judge  of  the  District  Court  of 
the  district  in  which  the  circuit  is  held,  sits  with  the 
judge  of  the  Supreme  Court,  as  Associate  Justice. 

JURISDICTION. 

3.  These  courts  have  both  original  and  appellate  juris- 
diction.   Causes  may  be  appealed  from  the  district  courts 
to  the  Circuit.     They  also  have  concurrent  jurisdiction 
with  the  State  courts,  where  the  matter  in  dispute  exceeds 
the  sum  of  $500,  and  the  United  States  are  plaintiffs ;  or 
where  an  alien  is  a  party,  or  where  the  suit  is  between  cit- 
izens of  different  States.     They  have  exclusive  jurisdiction 
in  all  cases  of  crimes  against  the  laws  of  the  United  States, 
except  where  the  law  especially  confers  the  power  on  other 
courts.     It  extends  to  all  cases  under  the  revenue  laws  of 
the  United  States. 

4.  There  is  also  a  certain  class  of  cases,  (too  tedious 
to  be  described  here  in  detail),  which  may  be  removed 
from  State   and  from  District  courts,  into  these   courts, 
and  be  tried  and  determined  in  the  same  manner  as  if  they 
had  been  commenced  here.  . 

The  officers  of  circuit  courts  are,  first,  the  Judges ;  sec- 
ond, the  District  Attorney  of  the  district  in  which  the 
Court  is  held ;  third,  the  Marshal,  of  the  District ;  and 
fourth,  a  clerk ;  who  is  appointed  by  the  court. 

5.  It  may  be  interesting,  and  perhaps  useful  to  kno-/ 
how  the  different  circuits  are  formed,  and  what  States  lie 
in  each.    They  have  been  from  tune  to  time  increased  in 


CIRCUITS.  £5 

number,  as  the  number  of  the  States  increased.  In  some 
cases,  States  have  been  at  first  placed  in  one  circuit,  and 
afterwards  detached  and  placed  in  another. 

6.  By  the  Acts  of  1862,  and  1863,  the  circuits  were  Sir. 
ranged  as  follows : — 

First  Circuit, — Rhode  Island,  Massachusetts,  Maine  and 
New  Hampshire,  (by  Act  of  1820.) 

Second  Circuit, — Vermont,  Connecticut,  New  York, 
(Act  of  1837.) 

Third  Circuit, — New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania. 

Fourth  Circuit, — Maryland,  Virginia,  Delaware  and 
North  Carolina. 

Fifth  Circuit, — South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Alabama,  Mis- 
sissippi and  Florida. 

Sixth  Circuits-Louisiana,  Texas,  Arkansas,  Kentucky 
and  Tennessee. 

Seventh  Circuit, — Ohio  and  Indiana. 

Eighth  Circuit, — Michigan  and  Illinois. 

Ninth  Circuit, — Wisconsin,  Missouri,  Kansas  and  Min- 
nesota. 

Tenth  Circuit, — California  and  Oregon. 

But  in  1866  this  arrangement  of  the  circuits  was  again 
changed;  and  this  was  done,  we  suppose,  to  make  the 
circuits  approximate  nearer  to  the  number  of  the  Asso- 
ciate Justices,  as  reduced  from  nine  to  six,  by  the  same 
act :  or,  it  was  then  enacted,  that  hereafter  there  should 
be  no  more  Associate  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  ap- 
pointed, until  they  were  reduced  (by  death  or  resignation,) 
to  six. 

7.  The  circuits  of  this  last  Act  were  reduced  to  nine,  and 
were  arranged  as  follows  ; — First  and  Second  Circuits,  to 
remain  as  before. 


86  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

The  Third  was  made  up  of  the  States  of  Pennsylvania, 
New  Jersey  and  Delaware. 

The  Fourth,  of  Maryland,  Virginia,  West  Virginia, 
North  Carolina,  and  South  Carolina. 

The  Fifth,  of  Georgia,  Florida,  Alabama,  Mississippi, 
Louisiana  and  Texas. 

The  Sixth,  of  Ohio,  Michigan,  Kentucky  and  Tennessee. 

The  Seventh,  of  Indiana,  Illinois  and  Wisconsin. 

The  Eighth,  of  Minnesota,  Iowa,  Missouri,  Kansas  and 
Arkansas. 

The  Ninth,  of  California,  Oregon  and  Nevada. 

We  have  inserted  both  of  these  circuit  arrangements, 
because  one  new  State  (Nebraska),  hc.»3  been  admitted  since 
the  Act  passed.  Others  will  soon  come  in,  and  very  prob- 
ably, the  old  number  of  circuits  and  judges  will  be  re- 
stored. 


JUDICIAL  DISTRICTS.  87 


CHAPTER  XVII. 
Judicial  Districts,  and  District  Courts; 

1.  WE  come  now  to  the  lowest  grade  of  United  States 
courts,  excepting  the  local  courts  in  the  District  of  Co- 
lumbia, and  the  Territorial  courts.     A  United  States  Dis- 
trict court  is  held  by  a  District  Judge,  in  every  district. 
Every  State  constitutes  at  least  one  district,  several  of 
the  larger  States  are  divided  into  two,  and  some  into  three. 
There  are  at  the  present  time  59  Judicial  Districts,  and 
consequently  the  same  number  of  District  Judges,  District 
Attorneys,  District  Clerks  and  Marshals.      The  Judges, 
Attorneys  and  Marshals  are  all  appointed  by  the  President 
and  Senate;  the  clerks  by  the  respective  courts. 

TERMS. 

2.  By  the  law  of  1789,  every  District  Judge  was  re- 
quired to  hold  four  sessions  a  year,  at  such  tunes  and  in 
such  places  as  Congress  directed.      This  is  done  to  this 
day  in  a  great  majority  of  the  States ;  but  by  later  laws 
in  some  of  the  districts,  only  two  or  three  sessions  a  year 
are  required, 

JURISDICTION". 

3.  These  courts  have  exclusive  jurisdiction  in  all  ad- 
miralty and  maritime  causes.      These  relate  to  maritime 
contracts,  and  to  crimes  against  the  laws  of  the  United 
States  committed  on  the  sea,  and  on  navigable  lakes  and 
rivers.    It  embraces  in  this  country  all  contracts  respect- 


88  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

ing  vessels  and  navigation ;  such  as  chartering,  repairing, 
and  fitting  them  out,  seamen's  wages,  &c.,  &c.  They  have 
in  some  cases  concurrent  jurisdiction  with  the  circuit 
courts,  in  cases  of  piracy,  and  exclusive  cognizance  of  cases 
where  seizures  are  made  for  a  violation  of  the  revenue 
laws,  or  laws  relating  to  imposts  and  navigation;  and 
causes  against  consuls  and  vice  consuls  where  the  amount 
claimed  does  not  exceed  $100.  In  short,  they  have  concur- 
rent  jurisdiction  with  the  circuit  courts,  of  all  crimes 
against  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  the  punishment  of 
which  is  not  capital.  The  trial  of  issues  of  fact  in  all 
causes,  except  civil  causes  of  Admiralty  and  maritime 
jurisdiction,  must  be  by  jury. 

4.  Appeals  are  taken  from  these  courts  to  the  circuit 
Courts.    The  judges  are  appointed  like  those  of  the  Su- 
preme court,  for  life,  or  during  good  behavior,  and  receive 
various  amounts  as  salary,  some  more  and  some  less,  ac- 
cording to  the  amount  of  services  to  be  performed  in  their 
respective  districts. 

5.  When  vessels  are  captured  in  time  of  war,  either 
by  the  public  armed  vessels,  or  by  private  armed  ships, 
the  facts  and  circumstances  of  the  capture  must  be  brought 
before  a  United  States  circuit  or  district  court,  for  adju- 
dication ;  when  the  vessel  and  cargo,  are  either  condemned 
as  a  prize,  or  restored  to  their  owners.     When  either  of 
these  courts  adjudicates  such  cases,  it  is  called  a  Prize 
Court. 

6.  For  the  same  reasons,  given  for  showing  the  compo- 
sition of  the  Judicial  Circuits,  in  a  condensed  form,  we 
will  here  give  the  number  of  Judicial  Districts  in  each 


JUDICIAL  DISTRICTS. 


89 


State  as  they  now  exist,  and  the 
States.  They  are  as  follows  : — 

Alabama,  3. 

Arkansas,  2. 

California,  2. 

Connecticut,  1. 

Delaware,  1. 

Florida,  2. 

Georgia,  2. 

Illinois,  2. 

Indiana,  1. 

Iowa,  1. 

Kansas,  1. 

Kentucky,  1. 

Louisiana,  2. 

Maine,  1. 

Maryland,  1. 

Massachusetts,  1. 

Michigan,  2. 

Minnesota,  1. 

District  of  Columbia,  1. 
Total 


total  number  in  all  the 

Mississippi,  2. 
Missouri,  2. 
Nevada,  1. 
New  Hampshire,  1. 
New  Jersey,  1. 
New  York,  3. 
North  Carolina,  3. 
Nebraska,  1. 
Ohio,  2. 
Oregon,  1. 
Pennsylvania,  2. 
Rhode  Island,  1. 
South  Carolina,  2. 
Tennessee,  3. 
Texas,  2. 
Vermont,  1. 
Virginia,  1. 
West  Virginia,  1. 
Wisconsin,  1. 
69. 


OUTLINES  OF  tf.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  XVHL 
Court  of  Claims. 

1.  THIS  Court  was  established  by  act  of  Congress  in 
1855.     A  brief  extract  from  the  law  itself,  will  best 
explain  the  object  of  its  creation,  its  jurisdiction,  powers 
and  duties.     The  law  reads  thus,  "A  Court  shall  be 
established  to  be  called  the  Court  of  Claims,  to  con- 
sist of  three  judges,  to  be   appointed  by  the  Presi- 
dent and  Senate,  and  to  hold  their  offices  during  good 
behaviour ;  and  the  said  Court  shall  hear  and  determine, 
all  claims  founded  upon  any  law  of  Congress,  or  upon 
any  regulation  of  an  executive  department,  or  upon  any 
contract  express  or  implied,  with  the  government  of  the 
United  States ;  which  may  be  suggested  to  it  by  a 
petition  filed  therein ;  and  also  all  claims  which  may 
be  refered  to  said  Court  by  either  house  of  Congress." 

2.  On  the  third  of  March,  1863,  the  jurisdiction  of 
this  Court  was  enlarged,  and  two  additional  judges 
appointed,  [making  5,J  from  the   whole  number  of 
which,  the  President  was  authorised  to  appoint  one  a 
chief  justice  for  said  Court . 

3.  The  mode  of  commencing  proceeding  before  this 
tribunal  is  by  petition ;  in  which  the  claimant  must  fully 
set  forth  his  claim,  how  it  arose,  its  amount,  and  the 
parties  interested  therein.    After  the  case  has  been 


COURT  OF  CLAIMS.  91 

heard  and  determined,  the  Court  reports  to  Congress 
what  its  decision  is,  and  if  favorable  to  the  claimant  a 
bill  is  passed  for  his  relief. 

4  It  holds  one  session  a  year,  in  Washington,  com- 
mencing on  the  first  Monday  in  October,  and  continuing 
as  long  as  business  before  it  requires.  It  not  only  tries 
claims  against  the  government,  but  by  its  enlarged 
jurisdiction  conferred  in  1863,  it  also  tries  counter 
claims,  and  sett-offs,  which  the  United  States  may  have 
against  the  claimant.  Appeals  are  taken  from  the 
Court  of  Claims  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United 
States,  when  the  amount  in  controversy  exceeds  $3,000. 

5.  Before  the  establishment  of  this  Court,  the  only  rem- 
edy  persons  having  claims  upon  the   Government  had, 
was,  by  petition  to  Congress  for  relief;  which  experience 
proved  to  be,  a  long  tedious  and  expensive  mode  of  ob- 
taining their  dues.     The  petition  now  goes  to  this  Court, 
where  it  is  heard  and  adjudicated  in  the  same  form,  and 
by  the  same  rules  of  procedure  which  are  observed  in 
other  courts ;  for  Congress  has  conferred  upon  it  all  the 
powers  commonly  possessed  by  other  courts  of  law.     It 
also  has  a  seal. 

6.  It  has  greatly  facilitated  the  settlement  of  claims 
against  the  Government,  and  has  relieved  Congress  of  a 
great  amount  of  labor,  which  was  urgently  pressed  upon 
it  at  every  session. 

7.  In  addition  to  the  five  Judges,  it  has  a  Solicitor,  an 
Assistant  Solicitor,  and  a  Deputy  Solicitor,  all  of  whom 
are   appointed  by  the  President   and   Senate ;    and   are 
officers  of  the  Court,  whose  duty  it  is  faithfully  to  defend 

D 


92  OUTLINES  OP  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

the  Unite'd  States,  in  all  matters  and  claims  before  thia 
Court. 

The  Judges  receive  $4,000  per  annum  salary.  The  So- 
licitor and  Assistant  Solicitor  receive  $3,500  each,  and  the 
Deputy  Solicitor  $2,500  per  annum. 

A  bailiff,  a  clerk,  a  crier  and  a  messenger,  all  of  whom 
are  appointed  by  the  court,  make  up  the  remaining  officials. 

In  order  to  give  the  reader  a  better  idea  of  proceedings 
in  this  tribunal,  it  may  be  stated  that  claimants  stand  in 
the  relation  of  plaintiffs,  and  the  Government  in  that  of 
defendant. 


DISTRICT-ATTORNEYS. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 
District-Attorneys. 

1.  IN  the  twelfth  chapter  we  spoke  of  the  appointment, 
position  and  duties  of  the  Attorney-General  of  the  United 
States,  and  originally  intended  to  place  our  remarks  upon 
the  District- Attorneys,  next  in  order j  but  subsequently 
changed  this  plan,  and  determined  to  place  them  imme* 
diately  after  those  upon  the  courts ;  for  next  to  the  judges, 
they, — the  District- Attorneys — are  the  highest  officers  in 
both  the  circuit  and  district  courts.     By  reading  this  and 
the  twelfth  chapter  consecutively,  a  better  understanding 
of  both  these  classes  of  officials  may  be  gained,  and  a 
clearer  insight  into  the  judicial  machinery  of  the  Govern' 
ment. 

2.  In  another  place  we  have  spoken  of  the  decision  of 
the  United  States  (see  political*  divisions),  into  judicial 
districts,  in  each  of  which  there  is  held  a  district  court, 
and  a  District- Attorney  is  appointed  for  each  court,  in 
the  same  manner  that  the  Attorney-General  is  appointed. 
He  bears  the  same  official  relation  to  these  courts,  and  ha? 
Bimilar  duties  to  perform  in  them,  that  the  Attorney-Gen- 
eral has  in  the  Supreme  Court.     It  is  his  duty  "  to  prose 
cute  in  such  district  all  delinquents  for  crimes  and  offencel 
cognizable  under  the  authority  of  the  United  States,  and 
ail  civil  actions  in  which  the  United  Stages  shall  be  ccn- 


04  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

cerned."  They  are  his  clients,  and  he  must  enforce  their 
rights,  and  defend  them,  in  the  same  manner  that  any 
attorney  protects  and  defends  his  client  in  any  of  the 
State  courts.  In  case  of  necessity  he  may  appoint  a  sub- 
stitute to  act  in  his  place.  All  fees  over  and  above  what 
he  is  allowed  as  compensation  for  his  services,  he  must 
report  and  pay  into  the  United  States  treasury. 

3.  He  must  defend  collectors  of  the  customs  and  other 
revenue  officers  in  his  district,  when  suits  are  brought 
against  them  in  their  official  capacity,  and  must  report  to 
the  Solicitor  of  the  Treasury  the  number  of  suits  deter- 
mined and  pending  in  his  district.  And  when  prize  cases 
have  been  determined,  or  are  pending  in  the  district 
court  of  his  district,  he  must  report  the  state  and  condi- 
tion of  each  case  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

District- Attorneys  are  appointed  for  four  years;  but 
may  be  removed  at  the  pleasure  of  the  President.  Their 
compensation  depends  on  the  amount  of  business  to  be 
done  in  their  respective  districts.  When  important 
ports  of  entry,  such  as  New  York  or  Boston,  lie  in  their 
district!?,  their  duties  are  very  numerous,  and  they  receive 
a  corresponding  compensation. 


U.    S.    MARSHALS.  ' 


95 


CHAPTER  XX. 
United  States  Marshals. 

1.  UNITED  States  Marshals,  commonly  called  simply 
Marshals,  are  the  ministerial  officers  of  the  United  States 
courts.     Their  duties  and  responsibilities  are  very  similar 
and  nearly  identical  with  the  duties  and  responsibilities 
of  sheriffs,  in  the  courts  of  the  several  States.     They  are 
appointed  by  the  President  and  Senate,  for  a  term  of  four 
years.     They  appoint  their  own  deputies,  and  their  com- 
pensation consists  of  fees  instead  of  a  salary  ;  and  depends 
entirely  upon  the  amount  of  business  they  have  to  trans- 
act.   There  is  a  Marshal  in  every  judicial  district  in  the 
the  United  States,  and  there  are  fifty-nine  of  these  dis- 
tricts in  all,    as  stated  in   another  place.     Every   State 
forms  at  least  one  district,  while  the  larger  States  are  de- 
vided  into  two  or  three. 

2.  A  district  court  is  held  in  every  district ;  and  it  is 
the  Marshal's  duty  to  attend  the  sittings  of  these  courts, 
and  also  those  of  the  United  States  Circuit  Courts  when 
they  happen  to  sit  in  his  district.      The  Marshal  for  the 
District  of  Columbia  must  also  attend  the  sittings  of  the 
Supreme  Court,  and  execute  its  precepts.     "We  have  said 
that  they  are  the  ministerial  officers  of  the  United  States 
courts ;  for  it  is  their  duty  to  serve  all  writs  and  precepts, 
emanating  from  them,  whether  of  a  civil  or  criminal  char- 


96  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

acter ;  and  to  execute  the  judgments  and  decrees  of  these 
tribunals ;  and  for  this  purpose  they  are  authorized  by 
law,  (if  necessary),  to  command  such  assistance  as  they 
may  need  in  the  execution  of  their  duties.  Before  they 
enter  upon  the  duties  of  their  office,  they  must  be  bound 
to  the  United  States  for  the  faithful  performance  of  them, 
and  must  solemnly  swear  to  do  them,  without  malice  or 
partiality ;  and  that  they  will  take  only  lawful  fees.  They 
are  also  held  answerable  for  the  delivery  to  their  suc- 
cessors of  all  prisoners  who  may  be  in  their  custody  at  the 
time  of  their  removal,  or  at  the  expiration  of  their  terra 
of  office. 

3.  They  also  have  the  custody  of  all  vessels  and  goods, 
seized  by  any  officer  of  the  revenue.  It  is  their  duty  also 
to  summons,  and  to  pay  jurors  and  witnesses  in  behalf  of 
any  prisoner  to  be  tried  for  a  capital  offence,  under  the 
laws  of  the  United  States.  In  the  remarks  made  under 
the  head  "  Census,"  we  stated  that  it  was  made  the  duty  of 
Marshals  to  superintend  and  direct  the  enumeration  of  the 
people ;  and  to  collect  such  statistical  facts  as  the  law  re- 
quires. This  they  do  through  deputies  whom  they  ap- 
point for  that  special  purpose. 

The  United  States  Marshal  is  also  required,  on  the  first 
day  of  January  and  July,  of  each  year,  to  make  a  return 
of  all  the  fees  and  emoluments  of  his  office  to  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Interior ;  and  if  they  amount  to  more  than 
$6,000  per  year,  he  must  pay  the  surplus  over  that 
amount  into  the  treasury  of  the  United  States. 


GRAND   JURY.  97 


CHAPTER  XXL 
Grand  Jury. 

1 .  BY  turning  to  the  fifth  article  of  the  Amendments  to 
the  Constitution,  you  will  find  these  words,  "  No  person 
shall  be  held  to  answer  for  a  capital  or  otherwise  infamous 
crime,  unless  on  a  presentment  or  indictment  of  a  grand 
jury  j  except  in  cases  arising  in  the  land  or  naval  forces, 
or  in  the  militia,  when  in  actual  service,  in  time  of  war 
or  public  danger."      This  constitutional  provision  makes 
a  grand  jury,  a  very  important  agent  or  instrumentality 
in  the  execution  of  the  laws,  and  also  a  safeguard  of  the 
liberties  and  rights  of  the  people.      It  secures  every  per- 
son from  the  expense  and  disgrace  of  a  trial  for  infamous 
crimes,  unless  a  Grand  Jury  of  his  countrymen  shall  find 
upon    inquiry    and    investigation,    that  there  are   good 
reasons  for  believing  that  the  person  so  charged  has  com- 
mitted the  alleged  offence. 

2.  This    provision    not  only  protects   those   who   are 
charged  with  these  crimes  against  the  laws  of  the  United 
States,  but  those  also  who   may  be  charged  with  such 
offences  against  the  laws  of  any  State ;  for  no  State  can 
arrest  and  try  any  person  for  a  capital  or  infamous  crime 
without  these  preliminary  proceedings  of  a  Grand  Jury  ; 
and  should  it  do  so,  the  United  States  Supreme  Court 
would  set  its  laws  aside,  as  contrary  to  the  Constitution 


98  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.    GOVERNMENT. 

of  the  United  States.  Here  we  see  that  the  Government 
is  just  as  careful  to  protect  its  citizens  from  injustice,  by 
hasty  judicial  proceedings,  as  it  is  to  punish  them  after  a 
fair  and  impartial  trial. 

3.  A  Grand  Jury,  when  callecf  to  take  cognizance  of 
violations  of  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  to  find  in- 
dictments against  those  who  are  charged  with  them,  is 
summoned  by  a  judge  of  a  United  States  Court  in  tho 
circuit  or  district,  where  the  alleged   crime  has  been 
perpetrated  ;    and   it  must  take  notice  of  all  crimes 
against  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  which  may  be 
brought  to  its  knowledge  within  the  circuit  or  district 
in  which  it  sits.     Hence,  if  ordered  by  a  circuit  judge, 
its  powers  extend  over  all  those  States  which  lie  in  that 
circuit.     But   when   ordered  by  a  district  judge,  its 
powers  extend  only  to  that  District  in  which  it  sits,  and 
a  district  never  embraces  more  than  one  State,  and  in 
many  cases  a  State  is  divided-  into  two  or  three  dis- 
tricts. 

4.  This  shows  us  how  much  more  extensive  is  the  ju- 
risdiction of  a  Grand  Jury,  when  acting  under  the  laws 
of  the  United  States,  than  when  acting  under  State 
laws.     In  the  former  it  extends  generally  all  over  a 
State,  and  sometimes  over  several  States.     But  in  the 
latter  it  is  confined  to  the  county  in  which  it  sits. 

GRAND  AND  PETIT   JURIES. 

It  may  be  interesting  and  useful  to  our  young  read- 
ers, to  explain  here  the  difference  between  a  Grand 
and  a  Petit  Jury,  as  they  are  commonly  denominated. 
First,  a  Grand  Jury  never  acts  but  in  criminal  cases. 
A  Petit  Jury  acts  in  both  criminal  and  civil  cases.  The 


GRAND    JURY.  99 

finding  or  conclusion  arrived  at  by  a  Grand  Jury  is 
called  a  presentment,  or  an  indictment — the  finding  of 
a  Petit  Jury  is  called  its  verdict. 

5.  Second,  a  Grand  Jury  sits  alone  [not  in  the  pres- 
ence of  the  Court],  and  deliberates  upon  such  matters 
of  a  criminal  character  as  it  possesses  knowledge  of,  or 
which  may  be  brought  to  its  notice  by  the  Court,  or  by 
other  persons  ;  and  when  it  finds  that  great  evils  exist, 
and  wrongs  have  been  perpetrated,  it  presents  them  to 
the  Court,  and  calls  the  attention  of  the  law  officers  to 
them  ;  which  is  equivalent  to  a  recommendation  that 
judicial  proceedings  should  be  commenced  to  abate  the 
evil,  or  to  punish  the  wrong  doer.      This  is  called  a 
presentment  of  the  Grand  Jury. 

And  when  they  find  upon  such  evidence  as  they  have, 
that  a  great  crime  has  been  perpetrated,  or  that  they 
have  good  reason  so  to  believe,  arid  that  it  has  been 
perpetrated  by  some  person  specified,  they  report  their 
finding  or  conclusion  to  the  Court.  This  is  called  an 
indictment  by  the  Grand  Jury ;  after  which  the  person 
so  charged  is  arrested,  if  at  large,  and  can  be  found, 
and  is  either  imprisoned  or  held  to  bail  for  his  appear- 
ance at  Court  to  stand  trial. 

6.  A  Grand  Jury  never  tries  a  case.     It  only  says  to 
the  Court  by  its  presentment  or  indictment,  that  the  case 
presented,  or  the  person  indicted,  ought  to  be  brought 
before  the  Court,  and  tried  for  the  alleged  wrong  or 
crime. 

A  Petit  Jury  sits  with  the  Court,  hears  the  plead- 
ings and  arguments  of  counsel  on  both  sides,  listens  to 
the  evidence  of  witnesses ;  and  then  hears  the  charge 
D2 


100  OUTLINES  OP  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

of  the  Judge,  as  to  the  law  applicable  to  the  case ;  after 
which  they  withdraw  and  deliberate  alone  upon  the 
case,  and  if  they  agree  in  a  criminal  case,  their  verdict 
is,  "  Guilty,"  or,  "  Not  Guilty :"  if  in  a  civil  suit,  they 
say  how  much  one  party  is  indebted,  (if  any)  to  the 
other. 

'7.  The  object  aimed  at  in  that  article  of  the  Constitu- 
tion which  stands  at  the  head  of  this  chapter,  is  to  pro- 
tect persons  from  false  charges  of  crime,  and  hasty  ad- 
judication of  such  charges  ;  for  it  substantially  amounts 
to  a  declaration,  that  no  person  shall  be  punished  for  a 
capital  or  infamous  crime,  unless  one  jury  before  trial, 
shall  upon  information  and  belief,  charge  him  with  the 
offence ;  and  another,  after  trial,  shall  find  him  guilty 
of  the  alleged  crime. 

The  above  remarks  are  as  applicable  to  Grand  and 
Petit  Juries,  acting  under  State,  as  those  which  act 
under  the  United  States  laws. 


ADMIRALTY    AND   MARITIME    JURISDICTION.  1Q1 


CHAPTER    XXII. 
Admiralty  and  Maritime  Jurisdiction. 

IN  ancient  times, — and  long  before  this  government 
existed, — civilized  and  commercial  nations  had  codes  01 
laws,  which  related  especially  to  transactions  upon  the 
sea.  Those  respecting  ships  of  war,  and  warlike  opera- 
tions at  sea,  were  called  the  laws  of  Admiralty  ;  those 
respecting  vessels  engaged 'in  commercial  affairs  were 
called  Maritime  laws;  and  the  courts  empowered 
with  jurisdiction  to  hear  and  try  causes,  or  to  take  any 
judicial  proceedings  in  those  cases,  were  styled  courts  of 
Admiralty  and  Maritime  jurisdiction.  These  laws,  in 
many  respects,  differed  so  materially  from  the  laws  re- 
lating to  affairs  on  land,  that  the  authority  and  power 
to  take  proceedings  in,  and  adjudicate  upon  them,  was 
conferred  upon  a  particular  class  of  courts.  Hence  we 
see  the  origin  of  the  names  of  such  tribunals. 

In  this  country,  the  United  States  District  Courts, 
have  been  designated  by  the  laws,  as  the  courts  which 
shall  have  original  and  exclusive  authority  to  adjudi- 
cate this  class  of  causes ;  yet  an  appeal  from  the  District 
to  the  Circuit  courts  may  be  taken. 


1Q2  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


OF    CASES. 

The  word  Maritime,  designates  that  which  relates  to 
the  sea.  Yet,  in  the  United  States,  cases  which  come 
within  Admiralty  and  Maritime  jurisdiction,  are  not 
restricted  to  the  sea,  or  to  transactions  relating  to  busi- 
ness or  crimes  done  on  it,  but  are  made  to  embrace 
those  which  occur  on  navigable  lakes  and  rivers,  and 
include  seizures  made  for  the  violation  of  the  laws 
of  impost,  navigation  or  trade,  suits  for  the  recovery 
of  seamen's  wages,  contracts  for  building,  repair- 
ing or  fitting  out  vessels,  and,  briefly,  all  contracts 
where  the  subject-matter  relates  to  the  navigation  of 
the  sea.  The  district  courts  have  Admiralty  and  Mari- 
time jurisdiction  in  all  these  cases,  without  regard  to  the 
amount  claimed,  and  in  criminal  as  well  as  in  civil 
suits. 

The  foregoing  remarks  show  the  workings  of  our 
judicial  system,  as  it  applies  to  business  done,  and 
crimes  committed  upon  the  higU  seas. 


CONGRESSMEN.  103 


CHAPTER     XXm. 
Congressmen, 

1.  CONGRESSMEN,  in  the  most  comprehensive  sense  in 
which  the  term  may  "be  used,  means  any  member  in  either 
branch  of  that  body.     But  there  is  a  more  restricted  sense 
in  which  it  is  most  commonly  used,  and  in  this  sense  it  is 
generally  understood  ;  that  is,  a  member  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  the  lower  of  the  two  houses.     These  are 
elected  by  the  people,  in  each  State,  and  in  the  Congres- 
sional districts  of  that  State ;  and  they  are  the  only  per- 
sons    either    in    the   legislative,    executive   or  judiciary 
branches  of  the  government,  for  whom  the  people  vote 
directly.     They   are  elected  by  single    districts,  that  is, 
but   one  member    is   chosen   in  one    district.     They  are 
elected  for  two  years,  that  is,  during  the  term  of  a  Con- 
gress, which  lasts  two  years,  and  always  holds  two  sessions. 
The  President  may  call  an  extra  session,  if  in  his  judgment 
the  exigencies  of  the  country  are  such  as  to  require  its  ac- 
tion before   the   time  of  the  regular  meeting.     This  has 
been  done  on  several  occasions. 

2.  The    Constitution     prescribes   the    qualifications  of 
members   of  the   House  of  Representatives   (which   see). 
They  are  also  stated  in  Chapter  III,  where  much  other 
matter  relating  to  this  subject  may  be  found.     The  Con- 
stitution is  silent  as  to  the  number  of  members  of  which 


104  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

the  House  shall  be  composed,  excepting  that  it  specified 
how  many  each  State  should  have,  until  the  first  enumera- 
tion of  the  people  in  1790 ;  and  since  that  Congress  has 
from  time  to  time  fixed  the  number,  which  is  now  241, — 
to  which  must  be  added  one  for  Nevada,  and  one  for 
Nebraska,  which  States  were  admitted  since  the  last  ap- 
portionment. 


CONGRESSIONAL  DISTRICTS.  2. 05 


CHAPTER    XXIV. 
Congressional  Districts. 

WHENEVER  the  population  of  a  State  is  so  small  that  it 
is  entitled  to  only  one  representative  in  Congress,  the 
whole  State  forms  but  one  Congressional  District;  but 
whenever  it  is  entitled  to  two  or  more,  then  it  is  divided 
by  its  Legislature  into  as  many  districts  as  its  population 
entitles  it  to  return  members ;  so  that  every  member  of  Con- 
gress is  chosen  by  single  districts.  The  act  thus  districting 
the  States  was  passed  in  1862.  In  large  cities,  certain 
sections  or  wards  are  constituted  a  Congressional  District. 
In  the  country,  a  county  or  several  counties  are  formed 
into  a  district ;  but  in  all  cases  a  district  must  consist  of 
contiguous  territory,  not  scattered,  a  piece  here  and  a 
piece  there,  in  different  parts  of  the  State,  or  country. 

These  districts  must  be  re-arranged  every  ten  years,  and 
as  soon  as  may  be,  after  the  census  is  taken  (which  is  every 
ten  years),  and  the  population  known  and  published.  The 
reason  for  this  re-arrangement  becomes  apparent  from  the 
fact  that  the  number  of  the  population  is  constantly 
changing.  In  some  States  and  counties  it  is  rapidly  in- 
creasing ;  in  others  increasing  very  slowly,  or  not  at  all, 
or  indeed  may  be  decreasing.  In  new  Western  States,  it 
has  increased  uniformly  so  rapidly  that  at  the  end  of  every 


106  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

decade  they  have  been  entitled  to  an  increase  of  repre- 
sentatives ;  while  some  of  the  older  States,  not  increasing 
so  fast,  have  actually  lost,  so  that  what  we  state  as  the 
number  of  representatives  of  each  State  now,  may  not  bo 
exactly  correct  after  1870,  i.  e.,  after  the  next  census. 
Hence  we  see  that  Congressional  districts  are  not  perma- 
nent political  divisions,  but  are  liable  to  frequent  changes. 
If  they  were  permanent,  they  would  probably  be  laid 
down  in  our  common  maps,  as  counties  sometimes  ai-e. 
They  are  now  generally  designated  by  the  ordinal  num- 
bers, as  1st,  2nd,  3rd,  4th,  &c.,  Congressional  districts  of 
such  a  State. 


CLERK  OP  THE  HOUSE,  AND  SEC.  OP  SENATE.  10T 


CHAPTER    XXY. 

fclerk  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  and  Secretary 
of  the  Senate. 

1.  The  name  of  the  first-mentioned  officer  indicates  the 
nature  of  his  duties.     He  of  course  must  keep  a  record  of 
the   proceedings  of  the  House  of  which  he  is  Clerk.     In 
addition  to  the  ordinary  duties  of  his   position,  Congress 
requires  him  to  give  bonds  in  the  sum  of  twenty  thousand 
dollars,  that  he  will  faithfully  apply  and  disburse  the  con- 
tingent funds  of  the  House,   which  may  come  into  hia 
hands.     He,  with  the  Secretary  of  the  Senate,  is  author- 
ized to  advertise  for  proposals  for  supplying  the  Senate 
and    House    of    Representatives    with    stationery    and 
printing. 

2.  He  must  lay  before  Congress  the  names  and  compen- 
sations of  all  clerks  and  messengers  employed  hi  his  office, 
and  a  detailed  statement  of  all  expenditures  from  the  con- 
tingent funds  of  the  House,  together  with  a  statement  of 
all  appropriations  made  by  Congress  daring  the  last  session, 
and  all  new  officers  created  by  it,  and  their  salaries. 

3.  He  is  chosen  by  the  members  of  the  House,  holds  his 
office  two  years,  and  receives  a  salary  of  83,000  a  year. 
He  has  the  use  of  the  Congressional  library,  and  is  entitled 
to  the  franking  privilege. 

SECRETARY    OF    THE   SENATE. 

The  duties,  compensation,  mode  of  election,  powers  and 
privileges  of  this  officer,  are  so  much  like  those  of  the 
Clerk  of  the  House,  that  to  describe  them  would  be  little 
more  than  to  reiterate  the  former  part  of  this  chapter. 


108  OUTLINES   OP   U.   S.  'GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 
Speakers  of  the  Bouse  of  Representatives. 

1.  THE  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  is  the 
presiding  officer  thereof.  He  is  chosen  by  the  members  of 
that  body,  and  is  selected  for  this  important  position,  in 
view  of  his  knowledge  of  parliamentary  law  and  usages. 
He  is  elected  for  the  full  term  of  the  Congress  which 
chooses  him.  His  compensation,  by  an  act  of  1856,  was 
fixed  at  double  the  amount  received  by  other  members  of 
the  House;  for  his  duties  are  much  more  arduous  than 
those  of  an  ordinary  member. 

2.  The  law  provides  that  in  case  of  the  death,  resigna- 
tion, impeachment,  or  any  other  inability  to  act,  of  both 
the  President  and  Vice-President,   the  President  of  the 
Senate  pro  tern,  must  then  act  as  President ;  but  in  case 
there  happens  to  be  no  President  of  the  Senate,  then  the 
Speaker  becomes  Acting  President. 

3.  The  Speakership  of  the  House  of  Representatives  has 
always  been  held,  as  a  very  respectable  and  honorable 
position.   The  following  are  the  names  of  all  the  Speakers 
of  the  House,  since  the  establishment  of  the  Government, 
down  to  the  present  time  (1867). 

Frederick  A.  Muhlenburgh,  Penn.,    1789  to  1791 
Jonathan  Trumbull,  Conn.,  1791   "  1793 

Frederick  A.  Muhlenburgh,  Penn.,    1793   "  1797 


SPEAKERS    OF   THE    HOUSE.  109 

Jonathan  Dayton,  N.  J.,  1797  to  1798 

Theodore  Sedgwick,  Mass.,  1198  "  1801 

Nathaniel  Macon,  N.  C.,  1801  "  1807 

JosephB.  Varnam,  Mass.,  1807  "  1811 

Henry  Clay,  Ky,,  1811  "  1814 

Langdon  Cheeves,  S.  C.,  1814  «  1815 

Henry  Clay,  Ky.,  1815  "  1820 

John  W.  Taylor,  N.  Y.,  1820  "  1821 

Philip  R.  Barbour,  Va.,  1821  "  1823 

Henry  Clay,  Ky.,  1823  «  1825 

John  W.  Taylor,  N.  Y.,  1825  "  1827 

Andrew  Stephenson,  Va.,  1827  "  1835 

John  Bell,  Tenn.,  1835  "  1837 

James  K.  Polk,  Tenn.,  1837  "  1839 

Robert  M.  T.  Hunter,  Va.,  1839  "  1841 

John  White,  Ky.,  1841  "  1843 

John  W.  Jones,  Va.,  1843  «  1845 

John  W.  Davis,  Ind.,  1845  "  1847 

Robert  C.  Winthrop,  Mass ,  1847  "  1849 

Howell  Cobb,  Ga.,  1849  «  1851 

Lynn  Boyd,  Ky.,  1851  "   1856 

Nathaniel  P.  Banks,  Mass.,  1856  "   1858 

James  L.  Orr,  S.  C.,  1858  •«   1859 

William  Pennington,  N.  J.,  1860  "   1861 

Galusha  A.  Grow,  Penn.,  1861  "  1863 

Schuyler  Colfax,  Ind.,  1864  "  1866 


110  OUTLINES  OF  U.   S.   GOVERNMENT, 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 
Acts  of  Congress. 

1.  IN  a  comprehensive  sense,  an  act  of  Congress  is  any  act 
done  by  it,  whether  it  is  the  making  a  law,  the  passage  of 
a  resolution,  or  any  proceedings  taken  by  it.      But  in  a 
more  restricted  sense,  and  what  is  usually  meant  by  "  an 
act  of  Cngress,"  is  a  bill  (as  a  proposed  law,  when  laid  be- 
fore  any  Legislative   body  is  called,)   passed  by  both 
Houses  of  Congress  into  a  law,  according  to  the  forms  and 
prescribed  rules,  always  adhered  to,  in   the  enactment  of 
laws,  and  afterwards  signed  by  the  President,  or  passed 
by  the  votes  of  two-thirds  of  both  Houses  when  the  Presi- 
dent refuses  to  sign  it. 

2.  Hence  every  law  of  the  United  States  is  an  act  of  Con- 
gress, properly  introduced,  examined,  and   generally  de- 
bated, altered  and  amended  if  thought   best,   and   then 
voted  for  by  a  majority  of  the  members  of  the   House  in 
which  it  originated,  after  which  it  is  sent   to   the   other 
House,  where  it  goes  through  the  same  form,  and,   if  ap- 
proved by  both  Houses,  it  is  then  sent  to   the^  President 
for  his  signature,  and  when  signed  by   him   the   bill   be- 
comes a  law,  "  an  act  of  Congress."     These  laws  are  then 
published  in  some  of  the  newspapers  in  every  State  and 
Territory ;  also  in  pamphlet  and  book  form,  and  distribu- 
ted to  every  State  and  Territory,  to  the  members  of  Con- 


ACTS    OF   CONGRESS.  Ill 

gress,  and  to  all  the  principal  officers  of  Government 
at  home  and  abroad,  that  the"  people  may  know  what  the 
laws  are  by  which  they  are  to  be  governed. 

3.  Every  law  passed  by  Congress  is  preceded  by  these 
words :  "  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and   House  of  Re- 
presentatives of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress 
assembled."     This  is  called  the  enacting  clause. 

A  resolution,  when  passed  by  Congress,  although  in 
some  instances  of  the  same  force  as  a  law,  is  an  act  of 
Congress  of  a  very  different  character  from  those  acts  by 
which  laws  are  enacted,  for  these  must  all  be  done  accord- 
ing to  established  parliamentary  usages  and  forms,  such 
as  laying  it  (the  proposed  law)  before  Congress  in  the 
form  of  a  bill,  printing  it,  referring  it  to  an  appropriate 
Committee,  to  be  afterwards  reported  by  that  Committee, 
the  placing  it  in  its  order  upon  the  records  of  the  House, 
and  the  calling  it  up  in  its  regular  order,  to  be  debated 
and  voted  upon. 

4.  But  resolutions  are  offered  in  writing,  and  often  passed 
on  the  spot,  though  they  are  sometimes  laid  over  and  re- 
ferred to  a  Committee,  then  called  up  at  the  proper  time, 
and  debated  and  passed  or  rejected. 

Some  of  the  most  important  work  of  Congress  is  done, 
however,  by  means  of  resolutions ;  for  instance,  its  pro- 
ceedings relative  to  an  amendment  of  the  Constitutiou  is 
done  by  the  passage  of  a  resolution  through  both  Houses. 
Many  other  matters  upon  which  Congress  acts  are  disposed 
of  in  the  same  way.  Its  requirements  of  the  President, 
the  Heads  of  Departments,  and  other  officers  of  the  Gov- 
ernment, are  made  by  resolutions,  and  have  the  binding 
force  of  law ;  for  a  disregard  of  these  requirements  or  in- 
structions, when  made  or  given  to  any  of  these  officers, 
would  be  considered  the  same  as  a  violation  of  law,  and 


112  OUTLINES   OF   U.    S.    GOVERNMENT. 

would  render  the  official  liable  to  censure,  or  perhaps  to 
impeachment,  or  removal  from  office. 

5.  Other  resolutions  are  merely  expressive  of  the  senti- 
ments or  opinions  of  Congress,  such  as  the  thanks   it  fre- 
quently votes  to  officers  of  the  army  and  navy  for  brave 
and  gallant  conduct  in  the  discharge  of  their  duty  in  peril- 
ous situations.     Such  a  recognition  of  the  merits  and  good 
conduct  of  any  man  in  the  public  service  is  considered 
highly  honorable  to  him  who  receives  it. 

Some  resolutions  are  concurrent — that  is,  both  Houses 
of  Congress  must  concur  in  or  pass  the  same  before  they 
have  any  power  or  validity.  The  Constitution  prohibits 
either  House  of  Congress  from  adjourning  for  more  than 
three  days  without  the  concurrence  of  the  other  House.  A 
final  adjournment,  or  any  other,  for  more  than  three  days, 
would  require  the  passage  of  a  concurrent  resolution. 

6.  Other  resolutions  may  pass  in  only  one  House,  but  are 
equally  binding  upon  the  members  and  officers  of  that 
House  which  passes  them ;  but  they  do  not  bind  the  officers 
of  the  other  House :  such,  for  example,  as  relates  to  ad- 
journments for  not  more  than  three  days  ;  to  the  order  of 
business  in  that  House ;  directions  to  the  officers  and  em- 
ployees of  that  body,  &c.,  &c. 


RATIO   OF  REPRESENTATION.  113 


CHAPTER    XXYIII. 
Ratio  of  Representation. 

1.  THE  ratio  of  representation  simply  means  the  ratio 
between  the  whole  population  of  the  United  States,  and 
the  whole  number  of  their  representatives  in  Congress ,  and 
this  of  course  includes  the  ratio  between  the  people  of  any 
individual  State,  and  the  representatives  it  is  entitled  to ; 
both  being  estimated  upon  the  same  basis,  and  determined 
by  the  same  rule. 

2.  The  distinctive  characteristic  of  our  Government  is, 
that  it  is  a  popular  Government.      Its  power  is  vested  in 
the  people.  They  elect  their  rulers,  who  are  the  servants  of 
the  people,  and  these  rulers  are  expected  to  carry  out  the 
people's  wishes.    Upon  such  a  system,  it  is  a  matter  of  the 
first  importance,  to  distribute  this  power  equally  among 
all  the  people,  and  after  having  fixed  upon  the  ratio  be- 
tween the  whole  population  and  the  whole  number  of  Ke- 
presentatives  ;  or,  in  other  words,  after  having  determined 
how  many  members  shall  compose  the  lower  House  of 
Congress,  the  next  step  is  to  apportion  these  members 
among  all  the  States  in  the  ratio  of  their  population.     If 
one  State  has  twice  the  number  of  inhabitants  that  another 
has,  it  will  be  entitled  to  twice  the  number  of  representa- 
tives in  Congress.      If  one  has  ten  times  the  inhabitants 
that  another  has,  it  will  be  entitled  to  ten  times  the  num- 
ber of  representatives  and  so  on;  with  this  one  exception, 


114  OUTLINES    OP   U.    S.   GOVERNMENT. 

•which  is,  that  by  a  provision  in  the  Constitution,  every 
State,  without  regard  to  its  population,  is  entitled  to  one 
representative  in  the  lower  House. 

3.  The  adjustment  of  this  matter  is  all  provided  for  in 
the  Constitution,  that  is,  in  its  general  features ;  but  it  de- 
volves upon  Congress  in  every  tenth  year  to  readjust  and 
reapportion  the  representatives  among  the  several  States, 
according  to  the  population  of  each  State  as  shown  by  the 
last  Census,  which  is  taken  every  tenth  year ;  and  when 
the  apportionment  is  once  made,  it  remains  the  same  for 
the  next  ten  years,  when  the  Census  is  taken  again,,  and 
a  new  apportionment  is  made. 

4.  Up  to  the  present  time  [1867J,  this  has  been  done 
nine  times.     It  was  done  the  first  time  by  the  Convention 
which  formed  the  Constitution.      That  apportionment  is 
found  in  the  Constitution,  and  is  as  follows. 


To  New  Hampshire,    3 
Massachusetts,        8 
Khode  Island,         1 
Connecticut,            5 
New  York,               6 
New  Jersey,            4 

Pennsylvania, 
Delaware, 
Maryland, 
Virginia, 
North  Carolina, 
South  Carolina, 

8 
1 
6 
10 
5 
5 

Georgia,          3 

By  this  it  will  be  seen  that  the  first  Congress  consisted 
of  but  65  members. 

The  Constitution  also  provided  that  the  representatives 
should  not  exceed  one  to  every  30,000  people.  The  next 
year  after  the  Government  went  into  operation,  [1790], 
the  first  census  was  taken,  and  as  soon  as  the  result  was 
known,  a  new  apportionment  was  made.  This  was  done 


RATIO    Otf    REPRESENTATION.  115 

in  17^2>  anti  was  mado  upon  the  ratio  of  one  representative 
to  every  33,000  of  representative*  population. 

5.  In  1800,  the  second  census  was  taken  ;  and  when 
Congress  made  the  appointment,  which  was  done  in  1803, 
it  did  not  change  the  ratio,  but  left  it  at  1  representative 
to  every  33,000  of  the  representative  population. 

In  1810,  the  third  census  was  taken,  and  in.  1811,  the 
ratio  was  fixed  at  1  Representative  for  every  35,000  of 
the  population. 

In  1820,  the  fourth  census  was  taken,  and  in  1822  Con- 
gress fixed  the  ratio  at  1  Representative  for  every  40,000 
of  the  population. 

In  1830,  the  fifth  census  was  taken,  and  in  1832  the  ratio 
was  fixed  at  1  representative  to  every  47,000  of  the  pop- 
lation. 

In  1840,  the  sixth  census  was  taken,  and  hi  1842,  Con- 
gress again  declared  that  the  ratio  should  be  1  represen- 
tative to  every  70,000  of  the  population. 

7.  In  1850,  the  seventh  census  was  taken,  and  in  con- 
formity with  the  law  passed  this  year,  the  number  of 
members  was  for  the  first  time  limited ;  the  limit  being 
233 ;  and  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  was  ordered  to 
take  the  census  returns,  and  divide  the  whole  representa- 
tive population  by  the  number  233,   and  to   make  the 
quotient  the  ratio  between  .the  representatives  and   the 
people. 

8.  "We  have  never  seen  the  result  of  the  Secretary's  es- 
timate; but,  taking  the  population  of  1850,    and    dividing- 
it  by  233,  would  produce  a  quotient  of  nearly  94,000  ;  and 
this  we  take  as  the  ratio,  after  the  time  when  it  was  done, 

*  The  representative  population  includes  all  free  persons, 
white  or  black  ;  to  which  (according  to  the  provisions  of  the  Con- 
stitution), three-fifths  of  all  the  slave's  were  to  be  added.  But  this 
proviso,  now  that  slavery  is  abolished,  has  become  a  nullity. 


116  OUTLINES   OF   U.   S.    GOVERNMENT. 

in  1852 ;  that  is,  one  representative  to  every  94,000  of 
the  population. 

9.  In  1860,  the  eighth  and  last  census  was  taken,  and 
by  the  foregoing  rule  one  representative  was  allowed  for 
every  127,000  of  the  population. 

In  1850  Congress  adopted  the  principle  of  perma- 
nently fixing  the  number  of  members  of  Congress,  to 
save  the  trouble  of  doing  it  as  heretofore — every  ten 
years.  An  act  was  passed  limiting  it  to  233 ;  but  not- 
withstanding this  limitation,  it  was  provided  that  if  any 
new  State  came  in,  it  should  have  its  member,  which 
would  add  to  the  number  233.  But  this  increase  was 
to  continue  no  longer  than  until  the  next  apportion- 
ment, when  the  number  was  to  fall  back  again  to  the 
old  figure. 

.But  in  1862  this  law  was  modified,  so  as  to  make  the 
whole  number  of  members  to  consist  of  241  after  the 
3d  of  March,  1863,  because  it  was  found  that  by  this 
number  a  closer  approximation  to  an  equality  between 
the  States,  on  the  basis  of  their  population,  could  be 
attained  than  by  the  number  233.  And  here  it  stands 
now — at  241 — with  its  numbers  apportioned  among  the 
several  States  as  follows  : 

Alabama,  6  Mississippi,  5 

Arkansas,  3  Missouri,  9 

California,  3  New  Hampshire,  3 

Connecticut,  4  New  Jersey,  5 

Delaware,  1  New  York,  31 

Florida,  1  North  Carolina,  7 

Georgia,  7  Ohio,  19 

Illinois,  14  Oregon,  1 


RATIO    OF   REPRESENTATION.  117 

Indiana,  11         Pennsylvania,        24 

Iowa,  6        Rhode  Island,          2 

Kansas,  1         South  Carolina,        4 

Kentucky,  9         Tennessee,  8 

Louisiana,  5        Texas,  4: 

Maine,  5        Vermont,  3 

Maryland,  5         Virginia,  8 

Massachusetts,      10         West  Virginia,         3 
Michigan,  6        "Wisconsin,  6 

Minnesota,  2 

12.  Nevada  and  Nebraska  have  been  admitted   aa 
States  since  this  apportionment,  with  one  member  each, 
BO  that  the  Jlouse  at  present  consists  of  243  members ; 
and  if  other  new  States  should  come  in   before   1 870. 
they  also  will  each  bring  in  one  member.      But  after 
1870,  according  to  the  present  law,  the  number  will  bo 
brought  back  again  to  241.      But  it  must  be  borne  in 
mind  that  Congress  has  the  power  to  alter  all  this,  and 
to  enact  that  Congress  shall  consist  of  any  other  num- 
ber of  members,  although  it  is  not  probable  that  this 
will  be  done  soon. 

13.  We  have  taken  the  pains  to  make  all  the   fore- 
going statements  not  so  much  to  show  how  the  House 
of  Representatives  is  now  organized,  as  to   show  the 
general  plan  upon  which  it  is  constituted,  and  to  show 
how   the  several  States   are  constantly  changing  the 
number  of  their  representatives,  and  consequently  their 
relative  power  and  influence  in  Congress.    This  can  be 
readily  understood  by  remembering  the  fact  that  new 
States  come  into  the  Union  every  few  years,  and  that 


118  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S..  GOVERNMENT 

the  population  increases  much,  more  rapidly  in  the 
Western  States  than  in  the  Eastern,  and  that,  conse- 
quently, the  West  is  rapidly  gaining  power  in  Con- 
gress, while  the  Atlantic  States  are  losing  it. 

14.  One  other  remark  in  regard  to  the  number  of 
members  of  which  the  House  is  composed  may  prop- 
erly be  made  here;  and  that  is,  that  in  the  apportion- 
ment no  regard  is  had  to  the  Territories  or  to  their 
population.  In  this  adjustment,  the  States  and  their 
population  only  are  regarded,  and  the  number  of  mem- 
bers is  all  given  to  the  States.  Every  representative 
from  a  Territory  is  an  addition  to  that  number,  but  it 
must  be  remembered  that  a  Territorial  member  has  no 
right  to  vote  on  any  question,  but  has  only  the  right  to 
debate  ;  and  for  this  reason  he  is  not,  in  the  fullest 
sense,  a  member,  and  is  not  counted  in  adjusting  the 
number  of  which  the  Ilouse  is  made  to  consist 


CENSUS.  l!9 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 
Census. 

1.  A  CENSUS  is  an  enumeration,  or  counting,  of  the  in- 
habitants of  any  country.     History  informs  us  that  this 
was  done  in  very  ancient  times.     One  of  the  books  in  the 
Old  Testament  (Numbers)  was  named  from  the  circum- 
stance that  it  contains  an  account  of  the  numbering  of  the 
Israelites,  by  the  order  of  Moses.     That  numbering  was  a 
Census  of  the  people,  composing  the  Jewish  nation.      It 
not  only  gives  us  the  total  number  of  the  people,  but  that 
of  each  tribe;  much  after  our  own  mode  of  doing   the 
same  thing.      We  take  ours  by  States,  and  we  find  the 
total  of  the  whole  nation.      In  ancient  times,  a  Census 
seems  to  have  been  taken  more  for  military,  than   for  any 
other  purpose.     This  is  one  of  the  objects  in  the  present 
day ;  but  in  modern  times  many  uses  are  made  of  a  Cen- 
sus.    It  not  only  shows  the  military  power  of  a  nation, 
but  when  taken  with  the  distinctions  of  sex,  and  age,  with 
an  account  of  the  births,  marriages,  and  deaths  during 
each  year,  it  throws  much  light  upon  a  variety  of  inter- 
esting topics ;  such  as  the  longevity,  the  rate  of  mortality 
the  ratio  of  increase  and  the  average  duration  of  human 
life.     These  and  many  other  important  facts  are  obtained 
by  a  Census. 

2.  In  the  United  States  the  Census  is  the  only  mean0 


120  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

by  which  Congress  determines,  the  number  of  representa- 
tives each  State  is  entitled  to  have  in  that  body.  Hence 
the  Constitution  itself  makes  provision  for  the  enumera- 
tion of  the  people  once  in  ten  years, — called  a  decade. 
The  first  was  made  in  1790,  the  next  in  1800,  and  so  on 
every  tenth  year.  If  the  number  of  any  year  ends  with  a 
cipher,  we  know  that  the  United  States  Census  was  taken, 
or  will  be  taken  in  that  year,  whether  we  look  backward 
or  forward. 

3.  Up  to  the  present  time,  (1867),  according  to  the  pro- 
visions made  in  the  Constitution,  a  Census  has  been  taken 
eight  times,   and  under  the    head  of  recapitulation  on 
page  123  we  find  what  it  was  each  time.      We  also  find 
that  from  the  first  [1790],  to  the  last  [1860],  the  popula- 
tion had  increased,  from  3,929,827,  to  31,747,514.     At  the 
present  time  it  approximates  nearly  to  40,000,000 ;  indi- 
cating a  growth,  unparalleled  by  any  nation  in  ancient 
or  modern  times. 

We  will  next  state,  how  this  great  national  work  is 
performed.  The  Constitution  simply  declares  that  it  shall 
be  done,  but  the  laws  specify  Jww  it  shall  be  done,  and  who 
shall  do  it. 

The  Unite!  States  Marshals  are  the  officers  designated 
by  the  law,  as  the  persons  who  shall  make  the  enumera- 
tion of  the  people  in  each  State  and  Territory  ;  in  additioa 
to  which  they  arc  also  required  to  procure  other  statisti- 
cal matter,  as  directed  by  Congress. 

4.  In  order  to  accomplish  this  work,  it  is  necessary  to  cm. 
ploy  a  number  of  assistant  marshals,  each  of  whom  must 
visit  every  house  in  his  district,  and  ascertain  the  number 
of  persons  belonging  to  it,  together  with  such  statistical 
information  as  is  required.      This  is  all  returned  to  the 


CENSUS.  121 

Marshal,  and  by  him  sent  to  the  Department  of  the  Interior 
ao  Washington,  where  under  the  direction  of  the  Secretary 
of  the  Interior  it  is  made  into  a  report,  and  then  laid  be- 
fore Congress,  to  be  used  by  it  in  apportioning  to  the 
States  their  quota  of  representatives.  This  apportionment 
is  actually  made  in  the  department  of  the  Interior,  and 
then  laid  before  Congress,  for  its  examination  and  ap- 
proval. The  Marshal  appoints  and  commissions  his  de- 
puties, who  must  be  sworn  to  perform  the  duties  assigned 
to  them  to  the  best  of  their  ability. 

5.  In  the  Department  of  the  Interior,  there  is  a  Board 
whose  duty  it  is  to  superintend  the  work  of  taking  the 
Census.     It  prepares,  prints,  and  sends  to  every  Marshal 
the  blanks  to  be  used  by  him  and  his  assistants ;  and  when 
they  have  made  returns  of  their  work,  the  Board  arranges 
them  preparatory  to  laying  them  before  Congress.     After 
this  they  are  published,  and  make  a  very  valuable  work 
of  reference ;  for  they  contain  a  vast  amount  of  statistical 
information ;  such  as  the  number  of  acres  of  land  under 
cultivation,  the  number  of  bushels  of  grain,  of  every  kind 
produced,  in  the  year ;  the  number  of  horses,  cattle,  sheep, 
swine,  &c.,  raised ;  the  number  of  manufacturing  establish- 
ments, and  the  amount  of  their  productions ;  the  number 
of  churches,   schools,   colleges  &c. ;  the  number  of  deaf, 
blind,  idiotic   and   insane   persons;  together  with  much 
other  matter,  quite  too  voluminous  for  insertion  here. 

6.  All  this  is  done,  by  order  of  Congress,  and  of  course 
paid  for  from  the  United  States  Treasury. 

"We  annex  a  tabular  statement,  of  the  population  of  each 
State  and  Territory,  at  each  time  the  Census  has  been 
taken  by  the  United  States.  It  shows  the  increase  at  each 

E 


122 


OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.    GOVERNMENT. 


decade  from  1 790  to  1860,  together  with  the  increase  of 
the  number  of  States  and  Territories. 


POPULATION  AT  DIFFERENT    PEEIODS. 


Alabama  .  . 
Arkansas  .  . 
California  . 
Conn  
Delaware.. 
Florida.... 
Georgia... 
Illinois  .... 





127  ,901 
14,255 

309,527 
30,388 

690,756 
97,574 

771,623 
203,897 
92,597 
870,792 
91,53? 
87,445 
9C6.185 
857,470 
988,410 
192,214 

064,201 
435,450 
36S.439 
460.147 
112,215 
140,425 
1,057,183 
1,711,051 
1,350.423 
674  913 
107,105 
1,155,684 
708,002 
6-8,279 
€87,049 
1.231,068 
'749,113 
172  123 

228.141 
59,096 

251,002 
04,273 

262,042 
72,674 

275,102 
72,749 

297,675 
76,748 
34,730 
516,823 
157,445 
S4S,031 

309,978 
78,085 
54,477 
091,392 
476,1G3 
C85,3CG 
43,112 

82,548 

162,101 

252,43C 
12,282 
24,520 

340,933 

55,102 
147,178 

Indiana.... 

4.876 

Iowa 

Ivansas 

Kentucky  . 
Louisiana  . 

73,077 

220,955 

15'l',7i9 
341,584 
423.245 

406,511 
76,556 
228,705 
380,546 
472,040 
4,762 

604,135 
152,923 
238,269 
407,350 
623,159 
8,705 

687,917 
215,739 
399,455 
447,040 
610,408 
31,639 

779,828 
362.411 
601J793 
470,019 
737,699 
212,267 

£82.405 
517,762 
583,169 
683,034 
994,514 
397054 
6  077 

Maine  
Maryland.. 
Mass  
Michigan.. 
Minnesota. 
Mississippi. 
Missouri 

98,540 
319,728 
378,717 

8,850 

40,35: 
20,845 
214,300 
245,555 
959,049 
555,500 
230,7CO 

75,448 
66577 
244,022 
277,426 
1,372,111 
CSS  ,829 
681,295 

136,021 
140,455 
269,328 
320,823 
1,918,608 
737,987 
937,903 

875,651 
383,702 
284,674 
373,308 
2,4-28  ,921 
753,416 
1,519.467 

1,  '724,033 
108,830 
694,£9S 
829,210 

606.52t> 
682,044 
317,976 
489.555 
3,097,394 
869,039 
1,980,329 
13,294 
2,311,786 
147,545 
668,507 
1,002,717 
212,592 
314.1-20 
1.42  1,661 
305,391 

7v>l,E03 
1,182,012 
*  26,073 
672,035 
3,880,735 
992,622 
2,339,511 
62,465 
2,905,115 
174.C23 
703,70i 
1.108,801 
C04.215 
315.093 
1,693,318 
775,881 

36,533 
?,576 
£8,  £41 
17,264 
83,009 
40,699 
11,  U8 

75.0P'l 

N.  H"::: 

y[.  j  

141,899 
84,1S9 
40,130 
393,751 

183,762 
211,949 
586.756 
478,103 
45,365 

K  Y 

N.C::::::: 

Ohio  

Penn  

l-c1::::::: 

Tennessee  . 

34,373 
66,110 
49,073 
35,791 

602,361 
69,122 
245,591 
105,602 

810,091 
7T,031 
415.11f 
261,727 

1,047,507 
83,015 
502,741 
422,761 

1,348,233 
97,109 
681,185 
681,  £04 

Vermont  .. 
Virginia... 
Wisconsin  . 
Terrltor'* 

85,416 
48,308 

154,465 
880,200 

217,713 
974,622 

236,749 
1,065,129 

280,652 
1,211;405 

291  ,9?  8 
1,239,797 
30,945 

Dakota  .  .  . 

Nebraska.  . 
Nevada  .... 
N.  Mexico. 
Utah 

61,547 
11,380 

Wash'gt'n. 
DistofCol. 

14,093 

2  1,  01!' 

33  0".o 

89,  8fU 

43.T12 

M.687 

CENSUS.  123 


RECAPITULATION. 

Total  population  in  1790 3,929.827 

1800 6,305:937 

1810 7.239.814 

"     "     1820 9,638.191 

"     "     1830 12,866.020 

"     "     1840 ..17,069,453 

1850 23,191.876 

"  I860.... 31,443,322 

To  which  add  Indians  and  others  iu  the  Indian  territory,  not 

included  in  the  Census 304,192 

Grand  total  in  1860  31,747,514 


124  OUTMNES  OP  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 
The  United  States  Flag. 

1.  THE  United  States  flag,  "  The  stars  and  stripes,"  i\ 
too  familiar  an  object   to    require   much  description ;  for 
every  body  has  seen  it,  and  almost  every  one  has  admired 
it.     And  no  wonder,  for  it  is  the  handsomest  flag  in  the 
world, — "  Red,  White   and  Blue  ;" — those  alternate  red 
and  white  stripes  in  beautiful  contrast  with  the  blue  field 
bedecked  with  stars ; — as  though  a  piece  of  the  sky  had 
been  taken  to  add  more  beauty  to  our  national  emblem 
which  makes  it  in  truth,  "  The  star-spangled  banner." 

May  it  forever  wave 
«  O'er  the  land  of  the  free,  and  the  home  of  the  brave." 

2.  But  there  is  a  little  history  about  it,  which  it  is  well 
to  know.     In  1794  when  there  were  only  15  States,  Con- 
gress passed  an  act,  declaring  that  the  flag  of  the  United 
States,   should   consist   of  15   stripes,  alternate  red  and 
white,   and  that  the  Union  be  15  stars,  white  in  a  blue 
field.    The  stars  and  stripes  were  by  this  act  to  be  equal 
in  number.     But  this  act  was  repealed  by  another,  passed 
in  1818,  which  declared  that  it  should  consist  of  only  13 
stripes,  alternate  red  and  white  ;  and  that  the  Union  bo 
20  stars ;  and  that  upon  the  admission  of  every  new  State 
into  the  Union,  one  star  be  added  to  the  Union  of  the  flag. 
This  has  been  done,  and  now  there  are  37  stars  in  the  blue 
field.     By  this  arrangement  our  flag  is  and  always  will  be 


U.    S.    FLAG.  125 

emblematic  of  two  things;  the  13  stripes  indicate  the  13 
original  States,  while  the  stars  show,  and  will  always 
show,  the  number  of  States  in  the  Federal  Union.  The 
stars  will  continue  to  increase  until  the  last  State  shall  be 
added ;  and  when  thus  completed,  will  probably  form  a 
constellation  of  50  or  more  stars,  representing  so  many 
States. 


123  OUTLINES  OF  U.S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  XXXL 
The  Laws  of  the  United  States. 

1.  A  CLEARER  and  more  comprehensive  idea  of  the  laws 
under  which  we  live,  may  be  obtained  by  a  sort  of  analy- 
sis of  them,  or  a  division  of  them  into  their  several  kinds. 
By  this  process  we  shall  find  four  different  laws,  emanat- 
ing from  four  different  sources,  or  authorities ;  each  hav- 
ing the  power  to  enact,  and   to  demand  obedience  to  its 
enactments. 

The  first  of  these  is  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States.  This  is  considered  as  an  enactment  of  the  people 
themselves ;  for  it  was  made  by  their  representatives 
chosen  for  that  purpose,  and  afterwards  ratified  by  them 
through  another  body  of  their  representatives,  viz.,  the 
Legislatures  of  the  several  States.  In  the  Constitution 
itself  we  find  a  large  body  of  laAvs,  and  those  of  the  most 
important  and  essential  character;  for  they  not  only  bind 
every  person  in  the  country,  but  they  bind  Congress  itself, 
which  is  the  law-making  power  of  the  Government. 

2.  The  whole  body  of  the  law  found  in  the  Constitution 
is  called  "  constitutional  law."      It  is  of  the  highest  au- 
thority, and  paramount  to  all  other  laws,  excepting  tho 
laws  of  God.     Statute  laws  may  be  changed  or  repealed 
at  any  time  by  the  same  power  that  enacted  them,  but 
the  Constitution  cannot  be  changed  but  by  a  vote  of  two- 


LAWS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  127 

thirds  of  both  Houses  of  Congress,  and  after  that  by  tho 
approval  of  three-fourths  of  all  the  Legislatures  of  the 
States  in  the  Union.  Thus  it  takes  a  long  time  to  change 
or  amend  it,  and  no  one  body  of  men  can  alter  it ;  but  any 
amendment  must  have  the  approval  of  all  the  legislative 
bodies  above  named.  Then  it  is  deemed  to  have  been 
sanctioned  by  three-fourths  of  the  people  themselves,  for  it 
is  done  by  their  immediate  representatives.  So  much,  for 
one  kind  of  law. 

3.  The  next  in  order  are  the  laws  enacted  by  Congress. 
These,  like  all  laws  made  by  legislative  bodies  are  denom- 
inated statute  laws.      These  laws,  while  in  force,  are  as 
binding  as  those  found  in  the  Constitution.     But  this  dis- 
tinction must  be  observed ;  the  statutes  as  before  stated 
may  be  amended  or  wholly  repealed  at  any  time   when 
Congi'ess  is  in  session,  and  may  be  set  aside  by  the  Su- 
preme Court  in  case  they  are  found  to  be  contrary  to  any 
of  the  provisions  of  the  Constitution.     All  the  Laws  en- 
acted by  Congress,  unless  they  are  for  some  local  object, 
are  equally  binding  in  every  State  and  Territory  of  the 
United  States ;  and  are  uniformly  applied  and  executed  in 
all,  by  the  United  States  courts.      The  foregoing  remark 
shows  us  the  wide  difference  between  an  act  of  Congress 
which  extends  to,  and  embraces  the  whole  national  do- 
main ;  and  an  act  of  a  State  legislature,  which  has  no  au- 
thority or  power  beyond  the  limits  of  the  State  where  it 
was  enacted. 

4.  The  laws  contained  in  the  Constitution  are  few  in 
number  in  comparison  with  the  statute  laws.      These  are 
exceedingly  numerous,  and  are  made  to  meet  the  necessi- 
ties and  wants  of  the  people  in  all  their  relations  to  tho 


128  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S  GOVERNMENT. 

Government  and  to  each  other;  to  regulate  the  army,  tha 
navy,  our  diplomatic  intercourse  with  foreign  nations,  and 
in  short  everything  which  requires  legislative  interference ; 
while  those  relate  only  to  the  fundamental  principles  on 
which  the  Government  is  based,  and  may  be  compared  to 
an  outline  map ;  which  only  shows  the  boundaries  and 
some  of  the  principal  mountains,  rivers,  cities  and  other 
prominent  features  of  the  country  intended  to  be  delin- 
eated. 

5.  Thus  much  for  constitutional  and  statute  laws.      We 
will  now  notice  another  kind,  quite  different  from  either  in 
the  mode  of  enactment,  but  just  as  binding  on  Congress, 
the  executive,  the  judiciary,  and  on  every  citizen  as  any 
constitutional  provision,  or  act  of  Congress.     We  mean 
the  various  treaties  made  between  us  and  foreign  nations, 
and  Indian  tribes.     Treaties  when  made  and  ratified  by 
the  respective  Governments  by  which  they  are  made,  are 
cf  the  same  authority  and  as  binding  upon  the  citizens  of 
both    countries,   as  any  constitutional  or  statutory   law 
in  existence;  and   any  violation   of  the   provisions  of  a 
treaty  between  us  and  any  foreign  power  is  made  punish- 
able, as  much  as  the  violation  of  any   statute  upon   the 
books.     This  of  course  applies  to  individual  citizens.     If 
the  treaty  be  violated  by  either  of  the  national  authorities, 
it  then  becomes  a  subject  of  diplomatic  arrangement,  or 
may  lead  to  a  war  between  the  Governments  concerned. 
We  have  thus  disposed  of  the  third  kind  of  law,  according 
to  our  mode  of  division. 

6.  At  the  commencement  of  this  chapter  we  spoke  of 
four  kinds  of  laws  to  which  the   citizens  of  the   United 
States  are  subject.      Tae  three  already  noticed  are  by  far 


LAWS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  129 

the  most  important,  whereas  the  fourth — the  laws  of  na- 
tions— are,  so  far  as  individuals  are  concerned,  of  minor 
importance,  as  they  relate  rather  to  the  duties  of  govern- 
ments and  their  agents,  to  the  duties  and  obligations  of 
armies,  and  of  naval  commanders  in  times  of  war.  All 
these,  with  many  other  matters,  are  regulated  according 
to  the  law  of  nations,  which  law  is  not  a  series  of  enact- 
ments of  any  law-making  power  of  any  government  upon 
earth,  but  consists  of  rules  laid  down  by  the  great  writers 
upon  this  subject  as  rules  or  laws  which  should  regulate 
the  conduct  of  one  nation  towards  another  according  to 
the  admitted  principles  of  right  and  humanity,  especially 
in  times  of  war.  These  laws  and  principles  have  been  ap- 
proved of  and  sanctioned  by  almost  all  civilized  nations, 
and  hence  have  been  denominated  "  the  law  of  nations,'* 
and  are  observed  by  all  governments  of  civilized  countries 
who  wished  to  sustain  an  honorable  character  among  the 
family  of  nations.  The  violation  of  the  law  of  nations 
exposes  the  violator  to  the  condemnation  of  the  world, 
and  to  the  danger  of  retaliation  by  war  with  the  injured 
nation. 

7.  While  on  the  subject  of  laws,  it  will  not  be  irrele- 
vant to  say  that  the  United  States  courts,  and  especially 
the  Supreme  Court,  are  the  expounders  of  the  laws  of  the 
country,  and  of  the  "  law  of  nations"  whenever  they  apply 
to  matters  in  which  our  government  or  our  citizens  are 
concerned.  The  courts  themselves  make  no  laws,  but  by 
their  decisions  in  cases  adjudicated  by  them,  they  declare 
what  is  the  true  meaning  and  intention  of  the  Constitu- 
tion and  the  laws.  They  declare  how  these  should  be  un- 
derstood, construed  and  applied.  Hence  the  decisions  of 

E2 


130  OUTLINES  OP  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

the  courts  are  regarded  with  almost  as  much  deference  as 
the  laws  themselves,  determining,  as  they  do,  the  interpre- 
tation and  true  meaning  of  them. 

8.  In  the  foregoing  remarks  we  have  made  no   allusion 
to  the  laws  of  the  States,  which  have  no  authority  or  power 
outside  of  the  State  by  which  they  are  enacted  ;  and  shall 
not  do  so  now,  as  it  would  be  foreign  to  the  object  of  our 
work.     "We  therefore  will  close  the  chapter   on  this  sub- 
ject with  the  addition  of  a  single  remark,   that  every  per- 
son in  the  United  States  lives  under  two  distinct  and  sep- 
arate governments    and   codes   of  law,   viz. :   First,   the 
United  States  Government  and  its  laws ;  and,  Second,  the 
government  and  laws  of  the  State  where  he  resides. 

9.  But  how  is  a  conflict  between  the  laws  of  the  United 
States  and  the  laws  of  the  States  avoided  ? 

Answer — By  the  following  constitutional  provision 
found  in  the  sixth  article  of  that  instrument,  and  in  these 
words  : 

"  This  Constitution,  and  the  laws  of  the  United  States, 
•which  shall  be  made  in  pursuance  thereof,  and  all  treaties 
made  or  which  shall  be  made  under  the  authority  of  the 
United  States,  shall  be  the  supreme  law  of  the  land,  and 
the  judges  in  every  State  shall  be  bound  thereby,  anything 
in  the  Constitution  or  laws  of  any  State  to  the  contrary 
notwithstanding."  This  answers  the  question.  The  Con- 
stitution, treaties  with  foreign  nations,  and  the  laws 
enacted  by  Congress,  are  supreme,  and  override  any  law 
passed  by  any  State,  if  it  conflicts  with  any  of  these.  The 
United  States  courts,  and  the  courts  of  any  State,  are 
bound  to  disregard  and  set  aside  any  State  law  in  case  it 
is  found  to  be  contrary  to  the  United  States  laws. 


NATURALIZATION    LAWS.  131 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 
naturalisation    Laws. 

1.  BY  far  the  greater  part  of  the  people  in  the  United 
States  are  natives  of  the  country,  and  are,  consequently, 
citizens  by  "birthright.      They  have   all   the  rights  and 
privileges  which  the  Government  affords,  without  being 
required  to  do  anything  to  procure  them.     A  native  citi- 
zen has  the  right  to  vote,  the  right  to  buy.  hold,  and  sell 
lands,  and  the  right  to  protection  by  his   Government 
when  in  a  foreign  country  or  upon  the  high  seas.     But  an 
alien  does  not  enjoy  these  rights.      An  alien  is  one  who 
was  born  in  some  foreign  country,  and  before  he  can  be 
a  citizen,  he  must  remain  in  the  country  at   least   five 
years;  and  then  must,  in  addition  to  this,  do  such  things 
as  our  naturalization  laws  require  of  him.      After  he  has 
done  this  he  becomes  a  citizen,  and  has  all  the  rights  of  a 
native,  with  this  exception — he  never  can  be  President  or 
Vice-President  of  the  United  States,  because  the  Constitu- 
tion positively  declares  that  both  of  these  high  officers 
shall  be  native  citizens,  and  the  one  exception  to  this  pro- 
vision has  no  application  now. 

2.  The  United  States  have  always  pursued  a  very  lib- 
eral policy  towards  aliens,  or  foreigners,  as  they  are  some- 
times called,  for  they  have  enacted  laws  easily  complied 
with,  by  which  any  alien  may  become  a  citizen,   after 


132  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

•which  he  possesses  the  same  rights  as  a  native,  with  the 
exception  before  stated. 

WHAT   AN    ALIEN    MUST    DO    TO    BECOME    A    CITIZEN. 

3.  The  Constitution  authorizes  Congress  to  pass  such 
laws  as  it  may  judge  right  and  proper  on  the  subject  of 
naturalization.     This  it  has  done  from  time  to  time.     The 
first  act  of  this  kind  was  passed  in  1790,  since  which  va- 
rious other  acts  have  been  passed  modifying  the  first. 

An  alien,  in  order  to  become  a  citizen,  must  go  before 
some  United  States  court,  or  some  court  of  record  of  some 
State,  at  least  two  years  before  his  admission,  and  then 
and  there  declare  under  oath  that  it  is  his  intention  to  be» 
come  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  and  must  renounce  all 
allegiance  and  fidelity  to  any  foreign  prince,  potentate, 
State  or  sovereignty  whatever,  and  particularly,  by  name?, 
the  prince,  potentate,  State  or  sovereignty  whereof  such 
alien  may,  at  the  time,  be  a  citizen  or  subject. 

4.  And  at  the  time  he  is  admitted  he  must,  before  somo 
of  the  courts  before  named,  again  swear  to  the  same  things, 
with  the  addition  that  he  will  support  the  Constitution  of 
the  United  States.~  When~all  this  is~done,  the  court  be- 
fore whom  the  oath  is  taken  and  the  renunciation  made 
makes  a  record  of  the  proceedings,  and  gives  the  person 
naturalized  a  certificate  that  he  was  made  a  citizen  by  the 
said  court  at  the  time  and  place  therein  named.     This  cer- 
tificate gives  him  all  the  rights  of  citizenship  in  any  State 
or  Territory  in  the  United  States.      All  laws  relating  to 
naturalization  are  made  by  Congress.     No  State   has  the 
right  to  pass  any  law  on  this  subject.     Yet  Congress  con- 
fers authority  on  the  State  courts  to  naturalize  an  alien. 


NATURALIZATION     LAWS.  133 

Indeed,   State  courts  naturalize  more   than   the   United 
States  courts. 

5.  In  addition  to  what  we  have  said  on  this  subject,  it 
should  be  stated  that  an  alien  must,  in  all   cases,   have 
lived  in  the  country  five  years  before  he  can  be  admitted 
to  citizenship.     But  in  1862  an  act  was  passed. making  an 
exception  to  this  requirement  in  favor  of  any  person  who 
who  Avas  21  years  of  age,  and  had  enlisted,  or  who  should 
thereafter  enlist,  in  the  army,  and  be  honorably  discharged 
therefrom.      In  such  cases,  a  good  moral   character,  with 
one  year's  residence,  without  any  previous  declaration  of 
intention,  was  sufficient.     Our  naturalization  laws  require 
good  moral  character  in  all  cases  of  those  who  apply  for 
admission  to  citizenship.      But  the  courts  have  been  ex- 
ceedingly remiss  in  this  matter,   and   almost   everybody 
who  makes  application  is  admitted  to  this  exalted  privi- 
lege without  any  regard  to  the  character  of  the  applicant. 

The  law  requires  that  if  an  alien  has  borne  any  title  of 
nobility  in  the  country  from  whence  he  came,  he  must  re- 
nounce such  title  before  he  can  be  made  a  citizen  of  tho 
United  States. 

6.  There  is  an  exception  to  what  is  above  stated  in  the 
definition  of  an  alien ;  that  is,  that  ho  is  one  who  was  born 
in  some  foreign  country.     A  child  may  be  born  out  of  the 
United  States;  yet  if  its  parents,  at  tho  time  of  its  birth, 
were  citizens,  the  child  is  also  a  citizen  by  virtue  of  its 
parent's  citizenship,  and,  consequently,  never  needs  nat- 
uralization to  possess  all  the  rights  it  would  have,  had  it 
been  born  in  the  United  States. 

7.  In  this  connection  another  provision  of  our  natural- 
ization laws  should  be  noticed;   and  that  is,  that  children 
born  in  a  foreign  country,  and  of  foreign  parentage,  be- 


134  OUTLINES  OP  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

come  citizens  of  the  United  States  -without  personal  nat- 
uralization, upon  the  following  conditions  :  First,  that  they 
came  into  the  country  before  they  are  21  years  of  age ; 
and  Second,  that  their  father  became  a  naturalized  citizen 
"before  they  have  reached  that  age — that  is,  the  naturaliza- 
tion of  the  father  makes  all  his  children  citizens  who  reside 
in  the  country,  and  are  under  the  age  of  21  at  the  time  of 
the  parent's  naturalization.  This  is  a  very  liberal  pro- 
vision of  the  law  in  favor  of  the  minor  children  of  those 
who  become  citizens. 


NEUTRALITY   LAWS.  135 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 
Neutrality  Raws. 

1.  THE  Neutrality  Laws  of  the  United  States,  like  those 
of  other  nations  who  have  enacted  them,  have  the  same 
design;  and  are  intended  to  accomplish  the  same  object; 
which  is  to  preserve  peace,  and  to  maintain  friendly  re- 
lations with  other  nations,  States  or  Powers.  It  is  the  duty, 
the  interest,  and  should  be  the  policy  of  all  Governments, 
to  live  in  peace  with  other  nations,  whenever  it  can  bo 
done  without  the  sacrifice  of  honor  or  of  self  preservation. 
It  is  the  duty  of  every  Government  so  to  control  the  ac- 
tions of  its  own  citizens  or  subjects,  as  not  to  allow  them 
to  perpetrate  such  acts  towards  other  Governments  as 
would  tend  to  embroil  the  two  countries  in  a  war,  or  to 
disturb  their  friendly  relations  and  intercourse. 

The  most  civilized  and  enlightened  nations  have  for  this 
purpose  enacted  Neutrality  Laws,xwhich  if  obeyed  by  the 
citizens  of  the  country  who  enacts  them,  do  much  to  pre- 
vent wars  and  unfriendly  feelings  between  nations. 

2.  A  single  illustration  will  perhaps  place  the  whole 
scope,  design  and  nature  of  Neutrality  Laws  in  a  clearer 
light,  than  a  verbose  recital  of,  or  commentary  upon  their 
provisions.     Our  illustration  may  be  thus  put :  A,  B  and 
C,  we  suppose  to  be  three  different  nations.  A,  and  B, 
are  at  war  with  each  other,  but  both  are  on  friendly  terms 


OUTLINES  'OP  Ursr  GOVERNMENT. 

C.  Now  C,  by  her^  neutrality  laws,  prohibits  her 
?citizens  or  subjects,  within  her  territory  from  enlisting, 
•or  fittinglout  men,  or  organizing  any  expedition  by  sea  or 
land  to  aid  either  of  the  belligerent  nations,  A,  or  B;  be- 
cause this  would  be  a  hostile  act  towards  the  other,  and 
might  lead  to  a  war  between  it  and  C. 

The  Neutrality  Laws  of  the  United  States,  now  in  force, 
'were  enacted  in  1818,  and  are  very  similar  in  their  pro- 
visions to  laws  of  other  nations  upon  the  same  subject, 
and  are  declaratory  of  the  pre-existing  laws  of  nations. 

3.  These  laws,  however,  do  not  prohibit  the  citizens  of 
the  United  States  from  leaving  their  country,  and  then 
enlisting  or  engaging  in  war  upon  either  side.  It  does  not 
prohibit  a  citizen  from  leaving  his  country ;  and  after  ho 
has  left  it,  the  Government  has  no  control  over  him. 
Hence,  in  spite  of  neutrality  laws,  it  is  no  uncommon  thing 
to  find  the  subjects  of  Governments  engaging  in  a  war 
against  a  nation  with  whom  their  own  Government  is  at 
peace.  The  violation  of  the  law  consists  in  accepting  an 
office,  or  enlisting,  or  procuring  enlistments  or  fitting  out 
expeditions,  by  sea  or  land,  while  in  the  United  States. 

It  is  declared  to  be  a  high  misdemeanor,  and  is  punish- 
able by  tine  and  imprisonment.  The  President  of  the 
United  States  is  authorized  to  employ  either  the  land  or 
naval  force  of  the  country  to  prevent  any  hostile  expedi- 
tion against  any  nation,  state,  colony  or  people,  who  are 
at  peace  with  us. 


ELECTIONS.  131 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 
Elections. 

1.  OXE  of  the  cardinal  principles  upon  which  our  Gov- 
ernment is  founded,  and  one  to  which  the  people  adhere 
with  the  greatest  tenacity  is,  that   governments   derive 
their  just  powers  from  the  consent  of  the  governed ;  and 
although  all  the  people  cannot  in  person  be  present  to  ap- 
prove or  to  disapprove  of  the  laws  by  which  they  are  to 
be  governed,  yet  under  our  form  of  Government  we  ap- 
proximate as  nearly  to  such  a  condition  of  things  as  is 
practicable.     This  is  effected  by  the  representative  sys- 
tem.    A  few  are  chosen  who  represent  the  wishes  and  sen- 
timents of  the  many. 

The  men  chosen  to  make  and  administer  our  laws,  are 
not  so  chosen,  from  the  personal  regard  the  people  have 
for  them ;  but  for  the  principles  they  are  known  to  enter- 
tain, and  which  correspond  with  those  of  the  people  who 
choose  them.  The  representative  is  bound  to  carry  out 
the  sentiments  of  those  who  elect  him,  and  to  do  what  they 
would  do,  if  they  acted  for  themselves. 

2.  From  this  principle,  it  becomes  a  matter  of  the  first 
importance  to  know  what  the  will  of  the  people  is,  in  re- 
gard to  the  various  questions  which  arise  from  time  to 
time,  relating  to  the  policy  of  the  Government,  and  the 
laws  to  be  enacted  to  carry  out  that  policy.      The  means 


138  OUTLINES  OF  IT.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

used  to  determine  these  questions  are  our  elections.  These 
are  looked  to  with  great  interest,  and  sometimes  with 
great  excitement,  as  they  furnish  the  only  occasions  in 
wliich  the  mass  of  the  people  can  act  upon  the  Govern- 
ment, by  electing  such  men  "as  they  want  to  make  and 
administer  their  laws.  Hence  at  the  close  of  our  elections 
it  is  pretty  well  known  what  measures  are  to  be  pursued 
by  the  principles  of  the  men  elected. 

3.  These  remarks,  however,  apply  with  greater  force  to 
the  State  Governments,  and  to  the  election  of  State  officers 
than  to  the  officers  of  the  United  States ;  for  Congress- 
men are  indeed  the  only  officials  in  the  general  Govern- 
ment for  whom  the  people  directly  vote ;  though  it  is 
often  said  that  the  President  is  elected  by  them,  this  is 
not  strictly  correct.  The  people  do  not  vote  directly  for 
either  President  or  Vice-President.  They  vote  for  electors, 
and  these  electors  vote  for  those  officers.  This,  it  is  true, 
is  but  a  circuitous  way  of  reaching  the  same  result ;  for 
the  electors  have  always  faithfully  carried  out  the  wishes 
of  their  constituents,  and  voted  for  the  same  candidates 
for  whom  the  people  would  have  voted  if  our  constitu- 
tional forms  allowed  them  to  vote  directly  for  these  candi- 
dates, without  the  intervening  and  cumbrous  machinery 
of  Presidential  electors.  We  think  a  great  improvement 
in  the  modus  operandi  would  be  effected  by  such  a  change 
in  our  Constitution,  as  would  give  the  election  directly  to 
the  people. 

4.  There  is  some  analogy  between  the  election  of  the 
President  and  the  election  of  the  United  States  Senators. 
In  the  first  instance  the  people  choose  electors,  and  these 
elect  the  President ;  in  the  latter,  the  people  elect  the  mem- 
bers of  their  Legislatures,  and  these  elect  the  Senators. 


ELECTIONS.  139 

Then,  as  to  the  other  officers  of  the  general  Government, 
ihey  are  appointed  by  their  superiors  :  the  most  important 
ones  by  the  President,  by  and  with  the  consent  of  the 
Senate,  and  the  minor  ones  by  the  head*  of  departments, 
or  some  one  higher  in  rank  than  the  appointees.  Thus 
we  see  that,  with  the  exception  of  the  members  of  the 
.House  of  Representatives,  the  people  do  not  vote  directly 
for  any  of  the  officials  of  the  United  States  Government. 
Yet  by  this  kind  of  proxy  vote,  about  the  same  result  is 
obtained. 

5.  Of  all  our  elections  none  is  considered  of  so  much 
importance  as  the  Presidential.  These  come  as  before  said 
every  four  years,  because  the  Constitution  provides  that 
the  term  for  which  a  President  is  chosen  shall  be  four 
years.  We  have  thought  it  would  be  quite  interesting  to 
some  of  our  readers,  and  at  the  same  time  would  help  to 
preserve  the  political  history  of  our  nation,  to  give  a  brief 
account  of  each  Presidential  election,  together  with  the 
names  of  the  candidates  and  some  of  the  prominent  circum- 
stances connected  with  them.  This  will  be  found  in  the 
following  chapter,  and  we  hope  will  materially  aid  those 
who  wish  to  know  something  of  the  men  and  tunes  gone 
by.  Our  elections,  both  for  the  general  and  State  Gov- 
ernments are  by  ballot,  instead  of  viv<.i  voce,  (the  living 
voice)  as  in  some  countries. 

The  ballot  is  a  small  piece  of  paper,  with  the  name  of 
the  candidate  or  candidates  printed  or  written  upon  it, 
and  then  folded  in  such  a  manner  as  to  hide  them ;  so 
that  no  one  but  the  voter  can  tell  what  names  are  on  his 
ballot.  A  vote  vivarvoce,  is  when  the  voter,  in  the  pres- 
ence of  the  inspectors  of  the  election,  audibly  and  clearly 
calls  out  the  name  of  the  candidate  for  whom  he  votes,  and 


140  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

thus  proclaims  in  the  hearing  of  all  present  how  he  votes 
But  the  ballot  enables  the  voter  to  vote  secretly  if  he 
chooses  to  do  so. 

6.  Our  elections  for  President,  for  Congressmen,  for 
Governors  of  the  several  States  and  their  respective  Leg- 
islatures, are  more  exciting  than  those  for  other  minor 
officers.  Much  is  said  and  much  is  written  of  a  very  in- 
flammatory  character.  The  liberty  of  the  press,  and  the 
liberty  of  speech  are  most  shamefully  perverted,  sometimes 
into  abuse  and  slander.  "When  these  vicious  practices 
shall  cease,  as  we  hope  they  will,  the  Government  will 
stand  on  firmer  ground  than  it  now  does. 


PRESIDENTIAL    ELECTIONS.  141 


CHAPTER    XXXY. 

PRESIDENTIAL     ELECTIONS,     WITH     NOTICES     OP    FACTS    AND 
CIRCUMSTANCES    CONNECTED    WITH    THEM. 

THE  Convention  which  formed  the  Constitution  of  tha 
United  States,  fixed  upon  the  first  Wednesday  of  January, 
1789,  for  the  election  of  the  first  Presidential  Electors,  and 
the  first  Wednesday  of  February  of  the  same  year  for  the 
election  of  the  first  President,  and  the  first  Wednesday  of 
March  (which  was  the  fourth),  for  putting  the  new  govern- 
ment into  operation.  The  election  of  the  Electors,  and  of 
the  President  by  them,  were  carried  out  to  the  letter ; 
but  the  government  did  not  get  into  operation  until  the 
thirtieth  of  April,  nearly  two  months  after  the  specified 
time,  for  the  elected  members  of  Congreess  were  tardy  in 
convening  at  New  York  (the  place  fixed  \ipon  for  the  first 
session) ;  and  it  was  not  nntil  the  thirtieth  of  April,  that 
Washington  was  inaugurated  as  President.  But  as  the 
fourth  of  March  was  the  time  at  which  it  was  intended 
that  it  should  take  place,  it  was  reckoned  as  the  date  from 
which  Washington's  administration  commenced ;  and  the 
date  both  of  the  commencement  and  termination  of  every 
Presidential  term  since.  Hence,  the  fourth  of  March  of 
every  fourth  year  is  an  important  epoch  in  our  political 
history,  as  it  is  the  time  when  a  new  administration  comes 
into  power,  or  the  commencement  of  the  second  term  of 
an  incumbent  who  has  been  re-elected. 


142  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

FIKST  ELECTION,    1789. 

George  Washington  was  unanimously  elected  President, 
and  John  Adams,  Vice-President.  The  Vice-Presidency 
at  this  and  at  the  three  succeeding  elections,  was  deter- 
mined according  to  the  provisions  of  the  Constitution  as  it 
then  stood ;  which  were,  that  the  candidate  for  President 
who  received  the  highest  number  of  votes  should  be  Presi- 
dent ;  and  he  who  received  the  next  highest  should  be 
Vice-President.  But  this  provision  was  changed  by  the 
Twelfth  Amendment,  proposed  in  1803,  which  went  into 
effect  at  the  next  election  in  1804.  Previous  to  that,  wo 
tear  nothing  of  any  candidates  for  Vice-President.  By 
the  provisions  of  the  said  amendment,  the  electors  vote  one 
name  for  President  and  another  for  Vice-President.  But 
previous  to  that,  the  electors  voted  for  two  candidates 
without  designating  which  for  President,  or  which  for  Vice- 
President,  knowing  that  the  one  receiving  the  largest 
number  would  have  the  first  place,  and  the  next  highest 
the  second.  This  caused  much  confusion  and  uncertainty 
as  to  the  intentions  of  the  electors.  After  four  elections 
conducted  upon  this  plan,  the  Constitution  was  amended  ; 
since  which,  without  change,  all  the  elections  have  been 
conducted  as  directed  in  this  amendment. 

In  our  comments  upon  the  first  election  we  may  as  well 
notice  another  great  change  which  has  gradually  taken 
place  in  regard  to  the  mode  of  choosing  the  electors.  The 
Constitution  says  that  the  Presidential  electors  shall  bo 
appointed,  in  each  State,  in  such  manner  as  the  Legislature 
thereof  shall  direct.  Now  this  left  the  Legislature  with 
power  to  appoint  them  itself,  or  to  order  their  appointment 
or  election  in  any  other  way.  The  electors  for  the  first 


PRESIDENTIAL     ELECTIONS.  143 

Presidential  election,  we  think  (though  we  have  seen  no 
historical  record  of  the  fact),  were  all  chosen  by  the  State 
Legislatures  ;  but  soon  after  we  find  that  different  methods 
were  used  in  different  States.  In  some,  the  Legislatures 
chose  them ;  in  others  they  were  elected  by  popular  vote  ; 
aud  it  seems  that  this  plan  was  the  one  most  approved  of, 
for  it  finally  became  almost  universal,  and  was  adopted 
by  every  State  except  South  Carolina,  which  never  did 
give  this  election  to  the  people  (at  least  not  anterior  to  the 
Rebellion).  For  these  reasons  \ve  cannot  give  the  popular 
vote  of  the  earlier  Presidential  elections,  as  we  have  done 
of  those  in  later  years ;  because  the  people  in  several  of  the 
States  did  not  directly  vote  for  electors.  "When  we  have 
given  it,  it  must  be  remembered  that  South  Carolina  is 
not  included. 

But  eleven  States  participated  in  this  election.  North 
Carolina  and  Rhode  Island  had  not  at  this  time  ratified 
the  Constitution ;  consequently  they  could  take  no  part  in 
it.  At  this  time  political  parties  were  very  indistinctly 
defined.  The  only  noticable  political  difference  consisted 
in  approval  or  disapproval  of  the  new  Constitution.  Its 
friends  were  called  Federalists,  among  whom  Washington 
was  numbered.  Those  who  had  opposed  the  adoption  of 
the  Constitution  were  called  anti-Federalists.  At  the  first 
election  there  were  but  sixty-nine  electors. 

SECOND   ELECTION,    1792. 

"Washington  and  Adams  were  both  re-elected  to  the 
same  positions  for  a  second  term.  Washington  was  again 
unanimously  elected.  Vermont  and  Kentucky  had  both 
been  admitted  into  the  Union  since  the  last  election; 


144  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

which,  made  fifteen  States  that  took  part  in  this.  At  the 
second  election  there  were  one  hundred  and  thirty-two 
electors. 

TI1IKD    ELECTION,    179G. 

There  were  four  candidates  in  the  field  at  this  time  for 
the  office  of  President  of  the  United  States,  viz. : 

John  Adams. 

Thomas  Jefferson, 

Aaron  Burr, 

Thomas  Pinckney. 
Adams  received  71  electoral  votes. 
Jefferson     "          69  " 

Pinckney    «          59          «        <• 
Burr  "        .38          " 

This  result  made  Adams  President,  arid  Jefferson  Vice- 
President. 

A  new  State — Tennessee — had  been  admitted  since  the 
last  election,  which  made  sixteen  in  the  Union  at  this 
time. 

FOURTH  ELECTION,    1800. 

The  same  four  candidates  were  again  in  the  field  at 
this  election ;  Adams  and  Pinckney  as  Federalists,  and 
Jefferson  and  Burr  as  Anti-Federalists,  who  about  this 
time  took  the  name  of  Republicans. 

Jefferson  and  Burr  received  73  of  the  electoral  votes. 

Adams  "       64 

Pinckney  «       63 

No  one  having  received  a  majority,  the  election,  accord- 
ing to  the  provisions  made  in .  the  Constitution,  went  to 


PRESIDENTIAL     ELECTIONS.  145 

the  Hous.e  of  Representatives  for  the  first  time.  The  re- 
sult waa  that  Jefferson  was  elected  President,  and  Aaroii 
Bun-,  Vice-President. 

No  new  States  had  been  admitted  since  the  last  election, 
so  there  were  but  sixteen  which  participated  in  this. 

The  results  of  this  election  proved  the  complete  over- 
throw of  the  Federal  party;  and  it  never  regained  power 
afterwards. 

FIFTH     ELECTION,     1804. 

The  twelfth  amendment  of  the  Constitution  having 
been  duly  ratified  before  this  election,  we  now,  in  accord- 
ance with  its  provisions,  for  the  first  time  find  candidates 
for  the  Vice-Presidency  brought  forward. 

Mr.  Burr  having  been  dropped,  Thomas  Jefferson  and 
George  Clinton  were  put  forth  by  the  Republicans  for 
President  and  Vice-President,  and  Charles  C.  Pinckney 
and  Rufus  King,  by  the  Federalists,  for  the  same  positions. 

Jefferson  and  Clinton  each  received  162  of  the  electoral 
votes. 

Pinckney  and  King  only  received  14  votes. 

The  admission  of  Ohio,  in  1802,  made  seventeen  States 
in  the  Union  at  this  election. 

SIXTH     ELECTION,    1508. 

Mr.  Jefferson,  after  having  served  two  terms,  retired ; 
and  James  Madison  was  nominated  by  the  Republican 
party  for  President.  With  this  change  candidates  were 
the  same  on  both  sides  as  at  the  former  election. 

Madison  received  122  electoral  votes  for  President,  and 
Clinton  113  for  Vice-Presideut. 


146  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVEPNMENT. 

The  latter  died  April  20,  1812,  and  consequently  did 
not  serve  out  his  full  second  term. 

Pinckney  and  King  each  received  47  electoral  votes. 

No  new  State  had  been  admitted  since  the  last  election ; 
consequently  but  seventeen  States  participated  in 
Madison's  first  election. 

SEVENTH     ELECTION,    1812. 

Mr.  Madison  was  re-elected  President,  and  Elbridge 
Gerry,  Vice  President.  But  he  died  on  the  twenty-third 
of  November,  1814,  leaving  the  Vice-Presidency  vacant 
for  the  second  time  during  Madison's  administration.  Mr. 
Madison's  second  term  was  distinguished  on  account  of 
the  second  war  with  England,  which  continued  from 
1812  to  1815. 

De  Witt  Clinton,  and  Jared  Ingersoll,  were  run  in  op- 
position to  Madison  and  Gerry,  who  received  each  128 
electoral  votes,  Clinton  89,  and  Ingersoll  57. 

There  were  eighteen  States  at  this  time.  Louisiana  had 
been  admitted  since  the  last  election. 

EIGHTH   ELECTION,    1816. 

The  same  party  which  had  twice  elected  Jefferson,  and 
twice  elected  Madison,  now  put  James  Monroe  up  as  their 
candidate  for  President,  and  Daniel  D.  Toinpkins,  for 
Vice-President. 

A  very  feeble  opposition  was  made  by  the  Federalists, 
who  again  nominated  and  ran  Rufus  King.  But  he  only 
received  34  votes,  while  Monroe  received  183. 

In  the  early  part  of  this  year,  Indiana  was  admitted  as 
a  State,  making  nineteen  in  the  Union  at  this  election. 


PRESIDENTIAL   ELECTIONS.  147 

NINTH   ELECTION,    1820;      - 

Monroe  and  Tompkins  were  both  re-elected  without 
opposition.  Their  terms  of  office  did  not  expire  until 
the  fourth  of  March,  1825,  making  twenty-four  years  in 
succession  during  which  the  Republicans  (who  about  this 
time  denominated  themselves  Democrats)  had  held  the 
reins  of  government  in  their  hands.  All  three  of  the 
Presidents  held  the  office  for  two  terms,  and  were  all  Vir- 
ginians. 

Between  1816  and  1820,  four  new  States  had  been  ad- 
mitted, viz.,  Mississippi,  Illinois,  Alabama,  and  Maine, 
making  twenty-three  which  took  a  part  in  Mr.  Monroe's 
second  election. 

TENTH   ELECTION,    1824. 

At  this  time  there  were  four  candidates  for  the  office  of 
President,  viz.  : 

Andrew  Jackson,  who  received  99  of  the  electoral  votes. 
John  Quincy  Adams         "          84         "  " 

William  II.  Crawford       "          41         "  " 

Henry  Clay  "          31         "  " 

Neither  of  the  candidates  having  received  a  majority, 
the  election  for  the  second  time  went  to  the  House,  where 
the  vote  was  taken  by  States,  Adams  receiving  13,  Jack- 
son 7,  and  Crawford  4  votes.  Mr.  Adams  was  elected 
President. 

John  C.  Calhoun,  against  whom  there  had  been  very 
little  opposition,  had  been  elected  by  the  electors  by  a 
large  majority,  'Vice  President. 

Twenty-four  States  participated  in  this  election,  Mis- 
souri having  been  admitted  since  the  last.  But  only 


148  OUTLINES   OF   U.    S.    GOVERNMENT. 

eighteen   of  them  chose  their  electors  by  popular  vote. 
Six  of  them  continued  to  elect  them  by  their  Legislatures. 

ELEVENTH   ELECTION,    1828. 

At  this  election  Andrew  Jackson  succeeded  to  the 
Presidency,  and  John  C.  Calhoun  was  re-elected  Vice- 
President. 

The  opposition  candidate  for  President  was  John  Q. 
Adams,  and  for  Vice-President,  Richard  Rush. 

Jackson  received  650,028  of  the  popular,  and  178  of  the 
electoral  votes  ;  and  Adams  received  512,158  of  the  pop- 
ular, and  83  of  the  electoral  votes.  This  was  perhaps  the 
most  strongly  contested,  and  most  bitter  election  that  ever 
transpired  in  this  country. 

No  new  States  had  been  admitted  since  1824,  so  there 
were  *mt  twenty-four  States  in  the  Union  at  this  election. 

TWELFTH    ELECTION,    1832. 

Andrew  Jackson  was  re-elected  President,  and  Martin 
Van  Buren,  Vice-President,  by  the  Democratic  party. 

Henry  Clay  was  the  opposing  Whig  candidate  for  the 
Presidency,  and  John  Sergeant,  of  Pennsylvania,  for  the 
Vice- Presidency. 

Of  the  popular  vote,  Jackson  received  682,502 
Clay  550,189 

Jackson's  majority,     132,313 

Of  the  electoral  vote,  Jackson  received  219,  and  Clay  49. 
There  had  been  no  increase  of  States  since  the  last  elec- 
tion, so  but  twenty-four  States  voted  at  this. 


PRESIDENTIAL      ELECTIONS.  149 

THIRTEENTH    ELECTION,    1836. 

The  Democrats  nominated  their  Vice-President  for  the 
office  of  President,  and  Richard  M.  Johnson,  for  that  of 
Vice-President  at  this  election. 

Gen  William  Henry  Harrison,  and  several  other  candi- 
dates, without  concert  of  action,  or  unanimity  of  design, 
were  run  hi  opposition  to  Tan  Buren,  but  he  had  a  ma- 
jority over  all. 

The  popular  vote  stood  for  Van  Buren,  762,149 
For  Harrison  and  others,  736,736 

Van  Buren's  majority,  25,413 

Michigan  and  Arkansas  were  admitted  early  in  this  year, 
which  made  twenty-six  States  at  the  period  of  this  election. 

FOURTEENTH    ELECTION,    1840. 

The  same  candidates  were  again  nominated  at  this 
election  that  ran  at  the  last ;  with  this  exception,  that  the 
Whigs  dropped  all  others  and  concentrated  on  General 
Harrison. 

Hence  the  opposing  tickets  stood  : 

Whig — William  Henry  Harrison,  for  President,  and 
John  Tyler  lor  Vice-President. 

Democratic — Martin  Van  Buren,  for  President,  and 
Richard  M.  Johnson,  for  Vice-President. 

The  popular  vote  showed  this  result — 

For  Harrison,  1,274,783 

"     Van  Buren,          1,128,702 

Harrison's  majority,  46,081 

This  was  one  of  the  most  excited  elections  ever  known 


150  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

in  the  United  States.  The  Whigs  adopted  the  practice  of 
singing  politic?!  songs  at  their  meetings.  It  was  called 
"The  Log  Cabin  and  Hard  Cider  Campaign,"  because  the 
Whigs  built  log  cabins  and  held  their  meetings  in  them, 
and  drank  hard  cider,  to  burlesque  the  remark  of  a  Demo- 
crat, that  General  Harrison  lived  in  a  log  cabin  and  drank 
hard  cider. 

He  lived  only  one  month  and  two  days  after  his  inaug- 
uration ;  and  John  Tyler  became  acting-President,  in  con- 
formity with  the  provisions  of  the  Constitution,  which 
were  now  applied  for  the  first  time  since  the  government 
was  established. 

No  new  States  had  been  added  since  1836,  so  that  the 
same  nmmber  acted  in  this  election,  as  took  part  in  the 
previous  one,  viz.,  26. 

FIFTEENTH    ELECTION,     1844. 

The  Whig  and  Democratic  parties  placed  themselves 
in  battle  array,  with  Henry  Clay  as  candidate  for  Presi- 
dent, and  Theodore  Frelmghuysen  for  Vice- President,  on 
the  side  of  the  "Whigs ;  and  James  K.  Polk  for  Presi- 
dent, and  Geo.  M.  Dallas  for  Vice-President,  on  the  Dem- 
ocratic side. 

The  popular  vote  at  this  election  showed  the  following 
result. 

For  Polk  and  Dallas  1,335,834 

"    Clay  and  Frelinghuysen  1,297,033 

Polk's  majority  38,801 

The  Abolitionists  ran  Mr.  Birney  for  President,  and  he 
received  62,270  votes 


PRESIDENTIAL      ELECTIONS.  151 

This  was  the  third  time  Mr  Clay  has  been  a  candidate, 
and  the  third  time  he  had  been  deleated ;  to  the  great 
sorrow  of  a  majority  of  the  people  of  the  United  States, 
for  many  who  voted  against  him  on  purely  party  grounds, 
really  desired  his  election. 

The  most  prominent  question  at  issue  between  the  con- 
tending parties  at  this  time  was,  the  annexation  of  Texas, 
which  the  Democrats  favored,  and  the  "Whigs  opposed. 

Mr.  Folk's  administration  was  distinguished  by  the  war 
between  the  United  States  and  Mexico,  which  grew  out  of 
the  annexation  of  Texas.  Since  1836,  there  had  been  no  ac- 
cessions of  new  States,  and  hence  there  were  but  26  in  the 
Union  at  this  election. 

SIXTEENTH    ELECTION,    1848. 

The  political  tide  turned  at  this  election  in  favor  of  the 
Whigs,  or  m  the  tnangular  fight,  Democrat  slaughtered 
Democrat,  and  Gen.  Taylor  won  the  field.  The  order  of 
battle  was  on  this  wise : — the  Whigs  massed  their  forces 
under  Gen.  Zachary  Taylor  while  the  Democrats  divided 
theirs  into  two  divisions,  with  as  much  hostility  to  each 
other,  as  to  their  old  and  common  enemy  the  Whigs,  Gen. 
Lewis  Cass  was  at  the  head  ot  the  first  and  largest  divis- 
ion, while  Mr.  Van  Buren  commanded  the  second  and 
smaller  division. 

"  When  Greek  meets  Greek,  then  comes  the  tug  of  war," 
When  Democrat  meet*  Democrat  then  comes  defeat 

But  to  drop  military  figures,  the  respective  candidates 
at  this  election  were, — Whig,  Zachary  Taylor  for  Presi- 
dent, and  Mil  lard  Fillmore  for  Vice-President ,  Democrat, 
Lewis  Cass  for  President,  and  William  O.  Butler  of  Ken- 


152  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

tucky  for  Vice-President.  Free  Soil  Democrats,  Martin 
Van  Buren  for  President,  and  Charles  F.  Adams  for  Vice- 
President. 

After  the  election,  the  popular  vote  showed  this  result 
Taylor  and  Fillmore  1,362,024 

Cass  and  Butler  1,222,419 

Van  Buren  and  Adams  291,678 

Mr.  Van  Buren  opposed  the  regular  Democratic  candi- 
date on  the  ground  that  he  (Van  Buren),  was  opposed  to 
any  further  extension  of  slavery,  while  Mr.  Cass  and  his 
friends  were  not. 

Gen.  Taylor  died  on  the  9th  of  July,  1850,  after  admin- 
istering the  Government  1  year,  4  months  and  4  days,  and 
for  the  second  time  since  the  Government  was  put  into 
operation,  the  Vice-President  became  the  Acting  Presi- 
dent. 

Since  the  year  1844,  4  new  States,  viz.,  Texas,  Florida, 
Iowa  and  Wisconsin  had  been  admitted  ;  which  made  30 
States  in  the  Union  at  this  election. 

SEVENTEENTH  ELECTION,    1852. 

At  this  election  the  Democrats  regained  their  lost  power 
with  Franklin  Pierce  for  their  Chief  Magistrate,  and 
William  R.  King*  for  the  second^ 

The  Whigs  put  General  Winfield  Scott  in  nomination 
for  President,  and  William  A.  Graham  of  North  Carolina 
for  Vice-President. 

Pierce  and  King  received  1,590,490  popular  votes. 
Scott  and  Graham        "         1,378,589 

Majority  for  Pierce  and  King         2 1 2,901 
•  William  R.  King,  of  Alabama,  died  April  18,  1853,  and  never 
took  his  seat 


PRESIDENTIAL      ELECTIONS.  153 

Perhaps  no  Presidential  election  ever  occurred  in  the 
United  States,  in  wfiich  there  was  less  interest  than  in  this; 
for  neither  party  appeared  to  be  very  well  pleased  with 
their  candidates. 

This  Whig  defeat  was  so  disastrous  to  that  party  that 
it  disbanded  immediately  afterwards  and  became  extinct. 

Since  1848  California  had  been  admitted,  making  31 
States  at  the  time  of  this  election. 

EIGHTEENTH   ELECTION,    1S56. 

The  Presidential  campaign  of  this  year  was  opened  with 
three  candidates  for  the  Presidency  in  the  field ;  as  fol- 
lows : — 

James  Buchanan,  and  John  C.  Breckenridge,  for  Presi- 
dent and  Vice-President,  on  the  Democratic  side. 

As  stated  in  our  notice  of  the  election  of  1852,  the 
Whig  party  had  become  extinct.  But  a  new  one  had 
been  organized, — whose  members  called  themselves  Re- 
publicans,— for  the  purpose  of  opposing  the  further  ex- 
tension of  slavery. 

This  party  nominated  John  C.  Fremont  and  William 
L.  Dayton,  for  President  and  Vice-President. 

A  fraction  of  the  American  party  yet  remained  alive, 
and  they  put  Millard  Fillmore  and  Andrew  J.  Donnelson 
in  nomination  as  their  candidates.  This  party  was  organ- 
ized in  opposition  to  the  election  of  foreigners  to  office. 

The  popular  vote  showed  this  result : 

For  Buchanan  and  Breckenridgo  1,803,029 

"   Fremont  and  Dayton  1,342,164 

"    Fillmore  and  Donnelson  874,625 

Buchanan  was    elected,  but  only  by  a  plurality  vote, 


154  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

Fremont  and  Fillmore  together  had  a  majority  of  413,- 
760  votes;  31  States,  the  same  as  at  the  last  election, 
participated  in  this.  Mr.  Buchanan's  administration  is 
distinguished  as  the  one  under  which  the  late  icbelhon 
broke  out,  and  which  was  followed  by  our  civil  war.  He 
fell  into  disgrace  by  refusing  to  do  anything  to  suppress 
the  rebellion. 

NINETEENTH   ELECTION,    I860. 

The  period  for  another  Presidential  election  returned  in 
November  of  this  year,  and  four  candidates  were  put  into 
the  field. 

Abraham  Lincoln  by  the  Republican  party  for  President, 
and  Hannibal  Hamlin  for  Vice-President. 

Stephen  A.  Douglas,  by  the  Northern  Democrats  for 
President,  and  Herschel  V.  Johnson  for  Vice-President. 

John  C.  Breckenridge,  by  the  Southern  Democrats  for 
President,  and  Joseph  Lane  for  Vice-President. 

John  Bell  by  the  American  party  for  President,  and 
Edward  Everett  for  Vice-President. 

Three  candidates  against  one,  so  divided  the  strength  of 
the  opposition  to  Mr.  Lincoln,  that  it  insured  his  election  ; 
but  only  by  a  plurality  vote. 

The  popular  vote  for  Lincoln  and  Hamlin  was  1,866,452 
Douglas  and  Johnson  1,375,157 
Breckenridge  and  Lane  847,953 
Bell  and  Everett  590,631 

The  three  latter,  together  had  a  majority  of  947,289 
votes  over  Lincoln.  The  whole  vote  was  much  larger 
than  any  ever  before  given  at  a  Presidential  election,  and 
amounted  to  4,680,193.  By  the  census  taken  this  year, 


PRESIDENTIAL      ELECTIONS.  155 

the  whole  population  in  the  States,  including  slaves,  and 
excluding  the  Territories  whose  population  cannot  vote, 
for  President,  was  31,148,048.  Two  new  States, — Minne- 
sota and  Oregon,— had  been  admitted  since  the  last  elec- 
tion, making  33  States,  which  voted  at  this. 

The  ostensible  and  prominent  questions  which  divided 
the  supporters  of  these  candidates  at  this  election,  were 
as  follows : 

Lincoln's  opposed  the  extension  of  slavery ;  Brecken- 
ridge's  favored  it. 

Douglas's  favored  the  submission  of  the  question  to  the 
new  States  to  be  admitted;  leaving  them  to  decide 
whether  slavery  should  be  allowed  in  them  or  not. 

Bell's  ignored  the  whole  question  and  called  their  plat- 
form "  The  Constitution  and  the  Laws." 

TWENTIETH    ELECTION,    18  64:. 

The  twentieth  and  last  Presidential  election  (up  to  the 
present  time,  1867})  took  place  this  year.  Abraham  Lin- 
coln, was  re-nominated  by  the  Republicans,  Mr.  Hamlin 
was  dropped  for  Vice-President,  and  Andrew  Johnson  (a 
Democrat,)  was  nominated  in  his  place,  on  account  of  his 
loyalty  during  the  rebellion. 

Gen  George  B.  McClellan  and  Geo.  H.  Pendleton  were 
nominated  by  the  Democratic  party  as  their  candidates  for 
President  and  Vice-President. 

The  popular  vote  for  them  was  as  follows  : —     . 

For  Lincoln  and  Johnson  2,223,035 

"    McClellan  and  Pendleton  l,811,7r,4 

Total  popular  vote  4,034,780 


156  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

This  shows  more  than  half  a  million  less  votes  than  at 
the  election  of  1860.  The  cause  of  this  was  that  11  of  tho 
Southern  States  had  seceded  from  the  United  States  in 
1860  and  1861 ;  and  still  continued  in  that  condition ;  and 
consequently  did  not  vote  at  this  election.  But  two  new 
States  had  been  added  since  the  last  election,  viz.,  Kansas 
and  "West  Virginia.  These  made  35  States  hi  all,  but  by 
deducting  the  11  seceded  States,  only  24  were  left  to  vote 
at  this  election. 

Mr.  Lincoln's  administration  will  long  continue  to  be 
one  of  the  most  distinguished  on  record,  on  account  of 
the  civil  war  which  raged  during  the  whole  period  of  it. 

His  assassination,  within  little  more  than  a  month  after 
he  had  entered  upon  his  second  term,  filled  the  nation 
with  sincere  mourners,  and  shocked  the  moral  sense  of 
the  world  to  an  extent  rarely  felt  at  any  antecedent  event. 

His  death  elevated  the  Vice-President  to  the  position  of 
Acting  President ;  this  being  the  third  instance  of  the  kind 
in  the  history  of  our  Government. 


ELECTORS.  157 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 
Electors. 

1.  AN  elector,  in  the  broadest  sense  of  the  word, 
means  anybody  who  votes  at  an  election  for  any  person 
for  any  office  or  position  whatever  it  may  be,  and  who 
is  generally  styled  a  voter.  JBut  in  a  more  restricted 
sense,  and  that  in  which  it  is  used  here,  elector  means 
a  person  chosen  to  elect  the  President  and  Vice-Presi- 
dent  of  the  United  States.  Two  different  methods  have 
been  used  to  choose  these  electors,  and  both  were  in 
conformity  with  the  Constitution  ;  for  it  says  "  that  each 
State  shall  appoint,  in  such  manner  as  the  Legislature 
thereof  may  direct,  a  number  of  electors  equal  to  the 
whole  number  of  Senators  and  Representatives  to  which 
the  State  may  be  entitled  in  Congress."  Now  this  left 
the  Legislatures  of  the  respective  States  to  appoint  the 
electors  themselves,  or  to  direct  their  appointment  in 
any  other  way.  Hence  in  some  States  the  Legislatures 
chose  them,  and  in  others  they  passed  acts  directing 
their  election  by  the  people  ;  and  as  far  down  as  1824 
m  six  of  the  States  the  Legislatures  continued  to  ap- 
point or  elect  them  themselves ;  while  in  all  the  re- 
maining States  their  election  was  given  directly  to  the 
people,  and  this  method  has  now  become  universal  in 


158  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

all  the  States,  and  is  the  one  which  seems  to  be  most 
approved  by  the  people. 

2.  These  electors,  when  chosen,  must  meet   in   their 
respective  States  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  December 
— that  is,  when  a  Presidential  election  occurs  (which  is 
every  fourth  year)  ;  and  when  assembled,  they  are  de- 
nominated the  electoral  colleges,  and  vote  for  one  man 
for  President  and  for  another  for  Yice-President ;  after 
which  these  votes  are  sent  to  the  President  of  the  Sen- 
ate of  the  United  States  by  a  messenger  selected  for 
that  express  purpose.     When  this  is  done,  the  duties  of 
the  electors  are  done,  and  they  have  nothing  more  to 
do  in  the  matter.     The  college  is  dissolved,  never  to 
meet  again.     But  in  four  years,  at  the  next  Presidential 
election,  a  new  college  will  assemble  for  the  same  pur- 
pose and  to  perform  the  same  duty. 

3.  When  these  votes  reach  Washington,  the  Senate 
and  the  House  of  Representatives  assemble  together  on 
the  second  Wednesday  in  February,  and  in  their  pres- 
ence the  votes  are  opened  and  counted,  and  it  is  then 
declared  who  has  been  elected  President  and  Vice- 
President  of  the  United  States  for  the  next  four  years. 
Until  quite  lately,  the  Presidential  elections  were  held 
in  different  States  on  different  days ;  but  by  an  act  of 
Congress,  one  day  for  this  election  is  now  designated 
throughout  all  the  States,  and  that  day  is  the  first  Tues- 
day after  the  first  Monday  in  November.     This  is  the 
method  which  the  Constitution  has  declared  shall  be 
used  in  the  election  of  the  President ;  but  it  is  a  clumsy 
and  cumbrous  piece  of  machinery — a  wheel  within  a 


ELECTORS.  159 

wheel — and  we  hope  it  will  soon  be  worn  out,  and  tho 
people  be  allowed  to  vote  directly  for  the  candidates 
they  prefer.  This  would  enable  them  to  vote  for  their 
choice  for  Vice-President,  which  they  cannot  alwaj-s 
now  do,  for  the  electors  are  bound  to  vote  for  the  Vice- 
President  who  runs  on  the  ticket  with  the  President. 
Hence  if  a  voter  wishes  to  vote  for  a  certain  candidate 
for  President,  he  must  vote  for  the  Vice-President  who 
runs  on  the  same  ticket,  whether  he  prefers  him  or  not. 


160  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 
Ambassadors,  Foreign  Ministers,  Charge  d  Affaires. 

1.  FOREIGN  Ministers  are  the  representatives  of  one 
nation  to  another,  and  are  the  agents  used  to  regulate 
their  political  relations,  and  commercial  intercourse  ;  to 
make  treaties,  and  to  settle  disputes  and  misunderstand- 
ings which  may  occur  between  them.     The  office  of  a 
Foreign  Minister  is  one  of  great  dignity  and  honor.     He 
ought  to  have  extensive  knowledge  of  national  affairs, 
sound  judgment,  prudence  and  wisdom ;  for  by  these  he 
may  prevent  contentions,  strife  and  war.     This  officer  is 
not  peculiar  to  our  Government,  or  to  our  times.     Nearly 
all  civilized  nations  of  any  standing  or  importance  both 
receive  and  send  them,  and  did  so  in  ancient  times. 

2.  By  the  laws  of  nations,  ambassadors  are  exempt  from 
arrest,  imprisonment  or  prosecution ;  because  they  are  the 
representatives  of  the  sovereign  or  nation  who  sent  them. 
Even  their  servants  are  secure  from  arrest,  and  their  prop- 
erty exempt  from  seizure  for  debt.     The  laws  of  Congress 
protecting  Foreign  Ministers  to  this  country,  is  but  an 
enactment  of  what  was  before  known  to  be  the  law  of 
nations,  all  over  the  civilized  world  ;   and  a  violation  of 
this  well  recognized  law,  without  reparation  and  satisfac- 
tion, would  be  a  cause  of  war  against  the  offending  party. 

8.  Our  own  foreign  ministers  of  all  grades  are  appointed 


AMBASSADORS.  161 

by  the  President,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of 
the  Senate.  They  are  not  however  the  representatives  of 
the  President,  but  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States. 
We  said  of  all  grades,  for  there  are  grades  of  these  offi- 
cials, different  jn  dignity  and  power.  They  are  distin- 
guished also  by  different  names  which  indicate  their  rank, 
viz ,  Ambassadors,  Envoys  Extraordinary,  and  Ministers 
Plenipotentiary,  Ministers,  Resident  and  Charge"  d' Af- 
faires. 

AMBASSADORS. 

4.  This  title  in  our  country  has  no  very  specific  mean- 
ing.    It  designates,  however,  a  minister  of  the   highest 
grade  ;  but  does  not  distinguish  between  one  who  goes  to 
reside  in  the  country  whither  he  is  sent ;  and  one  who  is 
sent  for  some  special  purpose ;  such  as  that  of  negotiating 
a  treaty  of  peace,  or  some  other  particular  matter  with 
which  he  is  charged,  and  when  that  is  accomplished  re- 
turns home.     In  the  latter  case  he  is  frequently  styled  a 
Commissioner,  because  he  was  duly  authorized,  and  com. 
missioned  by  his  Government  to  act  for  it;  but  in  both 
cases  the  officer  is  an  Ambassador,  for  that  word  means  a 
person  authorized  and  sent  to  transact  business  for  his 
Government. 

ENVOYS    EXTRAORDINARY    AND   MINISTERS    PLENIPOTENTIARY. 

5.  These  titles  designate  ministers  of  the  highest  class  ; 
but  generally  refer  to  such  as  go  to  reside  in  the  country 
where  sent,  and  with  full  power  to  act  for  their  govern- 
ment, in  all  matters  and  things  of  a  diplomatic  character. 

Where  negotiations  become  necessary  between  the  two 
nations,  permanent  ministers  of  this  grade  are  only  sent  to 


162  OUTLINES   OF   U.   S.    GOVERNMENT. 

great  powers, — governments  of  the  higher  class.  At  the 
present  time  we  have  twelve  foreign  ministers  of  this  class, 
one  in  each  of  the  following  countries . — Austria,  Brazil, 
Chili,  China,  France,  England,  Italy,  Mexico,  Peru,  Prus- 
sia, Russia,  and  Spain.  Those  to  England  and  France, 
receive  in  cash  $17,500  per  year  salary,  the  one  to  Peru, 
810,000,  and  each  of  the  others  $12,000. 

MINISTERS    RESIDENT. 

6.  These  are  not  considered  so  high  hi  rank  as  those 
termed  Envoys  Extraordinary,  and  Ministers  Plenipoten- 
tiary.   Yet  they  are  clothed  with  nearly  the  same  powers, 
but  are  sent  to  countries  of  less  importance,  and  receive 
less  salaries,  viz.,  87,500. 

At  this  time  we  have  twenty  of  this  grade,  one  in  each 
of  the  following  places  : — Argentine  Confederation,  Bel- 
gium, Bolivia,  Costa  Rica,  Denmark,  Ecuador,  Guatemala, 
Hawaiian  Islands,  Honduras,  Japan,  Netherlands,  U.  S. 
of  Colombia,  Nicaragua,  Paraguay,  Portugal,  Rome, 
Sweden,  and  Norway,  Switzerland,  Turkey,  and  Vene- 
zuela. 

COMMISSIONERS. 

7.  There  arc  a  still  lower  grade  of  ministers  (if  we  may 
call  them  so),  or  Government  agents,  who  reside  abroad. 
They  are  sent  to  look  after  the  interests  of  our  govern- 
ment and  its  citizens  in  places  of  not  much  importance,  and 
where  there  is  but  little  to  do.      They   also  receive   but 
Email  pay.     We  have  now  but  two  of  them,  one  in  Hay  ti, 
and  one  at  Liberia  in  Africa. 

CHARGE  D'AFFAIRES. 

8.  These  officials  rank  as  the  lowest  grade  of  ministers 
or  diplomatic  officers,  and  are  not  clothed  with  much  au- 


SECRETAEIES  OF  LEGATION.  163 

thorily  or  power,  excepting  when  authorized  to  act  in  the 
room  of  a  minister  of  higher  rank,  whose  place  is  for  the 
time  being  vacant.  In  this  case  consuls  hare  been  author 
ized  to  act  in  place  of  ministers  ;  but  not  unless  author- 
ized to  do  so  by  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

SECRETARIES    OF   LEGATION. 

9.  Secretaries  of  Legation  may  with  propriety  be  noticed 
under  the  general  head  of  ministers,  although  they  are  not 
ministers  of  any  grade,  but  are  appointed  by  the  same 
power  that  appoints  ministers,  and  accompany  them 
merely  as  their  secretaries.  In  the  absence  of  a  charge 
d'affaires,  they  are  sometimes  authorized  to  act  in  hia 
place.  The  position  is  not  one  of  great  dignity,  nor  is  the 
compensation  large. 


164  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.   GOVEKNMENT. 


CHAPTER  XXXVHL 
Consuls. 

1.  CONSULS  are  officers  not  peculiar  to  our  govern- 
ment. They  are  known  and  employed  by  many,  if 
not  all,  ot  the  civilized  nations  of  the  world,  and  are 
recognized  by  the  law  ot  nations.  Their  duties  and 
fields  of  action  are  always  in  foreign  countries — never 
at  home.  Although  they  are  the  agents  of  the  govern- 
ment that  employs  them,  yet  many  of  their  duties  re- 
quire them  to  act  for  and  in  behalf  of  the  private  citi- 
zens of  their  country  who  may  happen  to  be  within 
their  consulate. 

2.  The  Constitution  provides  that  the  President  and 
Senate  shall  appoint  all  our  Consuls.      The  President 
signs  their  commissions,  which  bear  the   great  seal  of 
the  United  States,  and  which  prove  to  the  government 
where  they  are  sent  that  they  are  duly  appointed  and 
authorized  to  discharge  the  duties  of  Consuls  at  the 
ports  or  places  to  which  they  have  been  appointed. 

3.  In  order  to  show  the  nature  of  a  Consul's  duties, 
such  as  the  laws  impose  upon  him,  we  will  state  the 
substance  of  several  acts  relating  to  this  subject. 

1.  "Whenever  a  vessel  belonging  to  a  citizen  of  the 
tFnited  States  arrives  at  the  port  where  he  is  stationed, 


CONSULS.  165 

it  is  his  duty  to  receive  the  ship?s  papers,  and  to  see  if 
they  are  all  correct. 

2.  It  is  his  duty  to  provide  for  sick,  disabled,   and 
destitute  American  seamen,  and  to  send  them  home  by 
some  vessel  going  to  the  United  States. 

3.  He  must  hear  the  complaints  of  seamen,  and  set- 
tle disputes  between  the  captain  and  men  ;  and  for  good 
cause  he  may  discharge  the  whole  ship's  crew. 

4.  It  is  made  his  duty  to  receive  and  take  care  of  the 
personal  property  of  any  citizen  of  the  United  States 
who  has  died  within  his  consulate,  and  to  send  any  bal- 
ance which  may  be  left  after  paying  his  debts  and  ne- 
cessary expenses  to  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States, 
to  be  held  in  trust  for  the  legal  claimants.      He  must 
also  give  notice  to  the  Secretary  of  State  of  the  death 
of  such  person. 

4.  For  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  and  executing  cer- 
tain treaties  made  between   the   United   States   and 
China,   Japan,  Siam   and  Turkey,    Consuls  to    those 
countries  have  been  empowered  with  judicial  functions. 
They  were  allowed  to  act  as  judges,  and  to  try   and 
punish  citizens  of  the  United  States  who  had  committed 
crimes    there.       These,  however,  were  extraordinary 
powers  in  special  cases,  and  by  no  means  common  to 
the  Consular  office. 

5.  In  the  absence  of  a  minister  or  diplomatic  agent 
of  the  United  States,  the  President  may   authorize  a 
Consul  to  perform  the  duties  of  snch  foreign  minister  ; 
but  these  powers  are  rarely  conferred  on  them.      Their 
ordinary  duties  relate  to  commercial  affairs,  and  to  such 
as  are  before  stated. 


166  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

6.  A  Vice  Consul,  or  Deputy  Consul,  is  one  ap- 
pointed to  act  temporarily  in  case  of  sickness  or  ab- 
sence of  the  Consul.  His  powers,  while  acting,  are  the 
same  as  those  of  the  Consul  in  whose  place  he  acts. 
Every  Consul  is  required  to  give  bonds  for  the  faithful 
performance  of  his  duties. 

.  7.  Our  commerce  has  been  extended  to  almost  every 
part  of  the  globe,  and  for  this  reason  we  need  a  great 
number  of  these  officials.  Their  services  are  required 
at  all  great  seaports,  and  at  many  smaller  ones.  Their 
compensation  varies  according  to  the  amount  of  busi- 
ness to  be  transacted  by  them,  from  §7,500  down  to 
$500.  Some  do  not  receive  any  salary,  but  are  allowed 
the  fees  they  are  authorized  to  charge  for  their  services. 

8.  A  Consul  is  to  some  extent  a  representative  of  his 
government,  and  is  therefore  treated  with  consideration 
and  respect.  An  insult  to  him  is  looked  upon  as  an  in- 
sult to  his  country,  for  he  is  a  kind  of  general  agent  for 
his  government  and  people.  It  is  his  duty  to  give  them 
all  such' in  formation  as  he  possesses  in  relation  to  the 
laws  and  practices  of  the  country  to  which  he  is  sent, 
which  it  would  be  important  for  them  to  know  whether 
at  home  or  abroad  ;  and  especially  is  it  his  duty  to  look 
after  the  interests  and  welfare  of  his  countrymen  when 
they  are  within  his  Consulate,  and  to  see  that  no  wrong 
or  injustice  is  done  to  them  by  the  people  or  govern- 
ment where  he  resides. 


TREATIES.  167 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 
Treaties. 

1.  IF  two  individuals  enter  into  a  written  contract  or 
agreement ;  in  which  each  agrees  with  the  other,  to  do,  or 
not   to  do,  certain  things  therein   stated   and   specified ; 
these  individuals  or  parties   to  the  contract,  as  they  are 
called,  perform  an  act  which  is  most  like  a  Treaty  be- 
tween two  nations,  States  or  powers,  of  anything  we  can 
think  of  as  a  comparison  or  illustration,  if  called  to  answer 
the  question  "  what  is  a  Treaty." 

In  one  case  two  individuals  make  the  Contract ;  in  the 
other  two  nations  or  governments  make  it,  and  it  is  called 
a  Treaty,  when  governments  are  the  contracting  parties. 

2.  Treaties  have  been  of  great  service  to  the  world,  both 
in  ancient    and    modern    times.       By  these  negotiations, 
wars  have  often  been  prevented,  friendly  relations  main- 
tained, and  commercial  intercourse  kept  up,  advantage- 
ously  to  both  parties.     Treaties  may  be  negotiated  by  any 
persons  properly  authorized  by  their  government  to  do  so ; 
and  any  government  may  authorize  such  persons  as  they 
see  fit  to  perform  these  important  acts.      In  many  cases 
the  ordinary  ministers  who  represent  their  governments  to 
other  governments  negotiate  ordinary  treaties.      But  in 
cases  where  something  of  an  extraordinary  character  is  to 
be  arranged,  special  ministers  or  commissioners  are  sent  for 


168  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

this  express  purpose.  This  was  the  case  at  the  Treaty  of 
Ghent,  (so  called  from  the  name  of  the  place  where  the 
commissioners  met  to  arrange  it,)  in  1814:  by  which  a 
peace  was  brought  about  between  England  and  the  United 
States,  after  the  last  war  between  those  powers.  Special 
Ministers,  or  Commissioners  as  they  were  denominated, 
were  appointed  and  sent  for  this  very  purpose.  A  treaty 
of  peace  was  agreed  upon  by  the  commissioners  of  the  re- 
spective countries,  and  hostilities  ceased  as  soon  as  the 
news  reached  the  United  States. 

3.  In  some  cases  our  Government  has  authorized  its 
commanding  generals  to  make  a  treaty  with  the  hostile 
nations.     It  has  also  given  the  same  power  to  the  com- 
manders of  our  national  vessels  ;  and  also,  in  a  few  cases, 
to  our  consuls,  in  countries  at  a  great  distance  from  home, 
such  as  China,  Japan,  Siam,  and  Turkey. 

The  persons  authorized  to  negotiate  a  treaty,  rarely  act 
without  instructions  from  their  government,  as  to  the 
times  and  conditions  of  the  proposed  treaty.  Much,  how- 
ever, must  be  left  to  the  sound  judgment  arid  discretion 
of  the  negotiators  as  to  the  details. 

4.  It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  a  treaty,    although 
mutually  agreed  upon  by  the  agents  of  the  nations  con- 
cerned, is  not  binding  upon  either  party,  until  properly 
ratified  according  to  the  forms  of  the  respective  govern- 
ments interested.      The  modes  of  ratification  differ  in  dif- 
ferent  governments.      In   ours   the  Constitution   confers 
this  power  upon  the  President,  by  and  with  the  advice  and 
consent  of  two-thirds  of  the  Senate. 

In  absolute  monarchies  this  power  rests  in  the  hands  of 
the  King  or  Emperor  alone.  As  before  stated,  every  gov- 
ernment may  confer  the  power  to  negotiate  a  treaty  upon 


TREATIES.  169 

such  agents  as  it  pleases.     It  also  has  the  power  to  pre- 
scribe such  modes  of  ratifying  or  confirming  it  as  it  pleases. 

5.  But  when  once  made  and  approved,  it  becomes  bind- 
ing not  only  upon  the  respective  governments  that  made 
it,   but   upon    all  the  citizens  and  subjects  of  that  gov- 
ernment.    It    has   been   held   in    this    country    by    our 
greatest   lawyers  and  statesmen,  that  the  provisions    of 
a  treaty  bind  Congress,  the  President,  and  every  citizen, 
as   much   as  any  constitutional  provision  or  act  of  Con^ 
gress.     And  for  this  reason   our  treaties    are   published 
in   the    papers,   in    every    State    and    Territory    in    the 
Union,  in  the  same  manner,  and  to  the  same  extent,  as 
the  laws  of  Congress. 

6.  The  violation  of  a  treaty  by  either  of  the   parties 
thereto,  is  reprehensible  and  criminal.     It  is  derogatory 
to  the  character  of  any  nation  or   individual   that  does 
it.     It    destroys    the   confidence    of  one   nation   in    the 
other,  leads  to  unfriendly  feelings  and  acts  between  the 
parties,  and  may  bring  on  a   war,  if  satisfaction  is  not 
given.     Yet  such  things  have  been  done,  and  evil  conse- 
quences have  always  followed.  "  If  you  make  a  bargain, 
stick  to  it,"  is  a  common,  trite,  and  wise  saying. 

Just  here  it  seems  proper  to  call  attention  to  the 
fact  that  the  Constitution  prohibits  any  State  from 
making  any  treaty  with  any  foreign  government.  The 
reason  for  this  provision  is  very  obvious,  for,  if  allowed, 
a  State  might  confer  privileges  upon  foreign  powers 
which  would  be  incompatible  with  the  interests  of 
other  States.  Therefore  the  treaty-making  power  is  kept 
wholly  in  the  hands  of  the  general  government,  for  in 
it  every  State  has  its  representatives,  and  a  voice  in 
every  treaty  which  it  makes. 


1  70  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

7.  So   numerous    are   the   treaties  wliich  the  United 
States    have  made    with    nearly    every  civilized    nation 
upon  earth,  that    it  would   require  a  very  large  volume 
to    contain    them.     They    are    published   with  the  laws, 
and  generally  in  English,  and   in  the    language   of  the 
nation  with  whom   the    treaty   is   made.    They  may  l>c 
found  in  the  United  States  Statutes  at  Large.    It  would 
require  too  much  space  in  a  work  of  this  kind,  to  give 
even  their  titles. 

8.  Wars  have  been  stopped;  boundary  lines  between 
nations  have  been   established  ;    commercial  intercourse 
arranged ;  the  purchase  and  sale  of  lands,  and  a  variety 
of  oilier  things  have  been    the   subjects  of,  and  formed 
the  matter  of  treaties.     Several  of  our  most  important 
ones  relate  to  the  purchase   of  .Territory.     We  acquired 
the    States    of  Louisiana,  Arkansas    and  Missouri,  by  a 
treaty  with  France  in  1803.     It  was  called    the    Louisi- 
ana purchase  j  for  it  was  nothing  more  than  a  purchase 
and  sale  of  lands.     We  also  acquired  Florida  of  Spain, 
in  1819,  in   the    same  way,    and  California    and    New 
Mexico  of  Mexico,  in  1847. 

9.  The    immense    quantities  of  land  purchased  of  the 
Indians,  were  obtained  by  treaties  with  them.     We  are 
sorry  to  say  that  in  some  cases  they  have  treacherously 
violated  their  treaty  obligations ;  but  at  the  same  time  it 
should  be  said  by  way  of  extenuating  their  offence,  that 
our    own    government   agents,    appointed    for   the   pur- 
pose of  taking  care  of  the  interests  of  the  poor  Indians, 
have,  in    connection   with   white    traders   among   them, 
shamefully   cheated  and  wronged    them,  and  provoked 
them   not   only    to   disregard  their   obligations,  but    to 
perpetrate    murders,     robberies,     and    thefts    upon    the 


TREATIES.  171 

whites  who  live  near  them.  At  this  time,  and  for  several 
years  past,  the  Indians  are  very  hostile  to  us,  and  aro 
prosecuting  a  war  with  the  whites  in  their  vicinity 
for  the  reasons  above  stated.  "  Honesty  is  the  best 
policy." 

10.  In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1867,  a  treaty  was 
negotiated  by  William  11.  Seward,  our  Secretary  of 
State,  on  the  part  of  the  United  States,  and  Edward 
de  Stoekl,  the  Russian  Minister  to  the  United  States, 
on  the  part  of  Russia,  for  the  cession  of  the  Rus- 
sian possessions  in  North  America  to  the  United 
States. 

This  treaty  will  become  one  of  the  most  important 
among  all  our  treaties  \vith  foreign  powers  ;  for  by  it 
the  United  States  will  acquire  between  350,000  and 
400,000  square  miles  of  territory,  in  addition  to  our 
already  immense  possessions ;  and  will  place  by  far  the 
greater  part  of  the  Northwestern  coast  of  North 
America  under  the  control  of  the  United  States  Govern- 
ment. 

For  the  purpose  of  giving  a  specimen  of  a  treaty, 
and  showing  some  of  the  details  of  this  negotiation,  we 
here  insert  it  in  full,  as  agreed  upon  by  the  contracting 
parties.  $7,000,000  in  gold  is  the  consideration  which 
the  United  States  is  to  pay  Russia  for  this  territory. 
This  treaty  is  not  yet  consummated,  although  it  has 
been  ratified  by  both  the  United  States  and  the  Russian 
governments.  But  the  money  ($7,000,000  in  gold)  has 
not  been  appropriated  for  the  purpose  This  must  be 
done  by  the  House  of  Representatives  before  the  treaty 
can  go  into  effect. 


172  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

THE   BUSSIAN   TREATY. 

The  following  is  the  text  of  the  Russian- American 
treaty : — 

"  The  United  States  of  America,  and  his  Majesty,  the 
Emperor  of  all  the  Russias,  being  desirous  of  strength- 
ening, if  possible,  the  good  understanding  which  exists 
between  them,  have  for  that  purpose  appointed  as  their 
plenipotentiaries,  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
William  H.  Seward,  Secretary  of  State,  and  his  Majesty 
the  Emperor  of  all  the  Russias,  Mr.  Edward  de  Stocckl, 
his  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary 
to  the  United  States,  and  the  said  plenipotiaries,  having 
exchanged  their  full  powers,  which  were  found  to  bo 
in  due  form,  have  agreed  upon  and  signed  the  following 
articles : 

ARTICLE  I.  His  Majesty,  the  Emperor  of  all  the 
Russias,  agrees  to  cede  to  the  United  States,  by  this 
convention,  immediately  upon  the  exchange  cf  the  rat- 
ifications thereof,  all  the  territory  and  dominion  now 
possessed  by  his  said  Majesty  on  the  continent  of 
America  and  in  the  adjacent  islands,  the  same  being 
contained  within  the  geographical  limits  herein  set 
forth,  to  wit :  The  eastern  limit  is  the  line  of  demarca- 
tion between  the  Russian  and  the  British  possessions  in 
North  America,  as  established  by  the  convention  be- 
tween Russia  and  Great  Britain  of  February  28  (16), 
1825,  and  described  in  articles  third  and  fourth  of  said 
convention  in  the  following  terms :  Commencing  from 
the  southernmost  point  of  the  island  called  Prince  of 
Wales'  Island,  which  point  lies  in  the  parallel  of  50 


TREATIES.  173 

deg.  40  min.  north  latitude,  and  between  the  131st  and 
133d  deg.  of  west  longitude,  meridian  of  Greenwich. 
The  said  line  shall  ascend  to  the  north  along  the  chan- 
nel called  Portland  Channel,  as  far  as  the  point  of  the 
continent  where  it  strikes  the  56th  degree  of  north 
longitude.  From  this  last  mentioned  point  the  line  of 
demarcation  shall  follow  the  summit  of  the  mountains 
situated  parallel  to  the  coast  as  far  as  the  point  of  in- 
tersection of  the  141st  degree  of  west  longitude  of  the 
same  meridian,  and  finally  from  the  said  point  of  inter- 
section the  said  meridian  line  of  the  141st  degree  in  its 
prolongation  as  far  as  the  Frozen  Ocean.  With  refer- 
ence to  the  line  of  demarcation  laid  down  in  the  pre- 
ceding article,  it  is  understood — first,  that  the  island 
called  Prince  of  Wales'  Island  shall  belong  wholly  to 
Russia,  and  now,  by  this  cession,  wholly  to  the  United 
States ;  second,  that  whenever  the  summit  of  the  moun- 
tains which  extend  in  a  direction  parallel  to  the  coast 
from  the  5Gth  degree  of  north  latitude  to  the  point  of 
intersection  of  the  141st  degree  of  west  longitude  shall 
prove  to  be  at  the  distance  of  more  than  ten  marine 
leagues  from  the  ocean,  the  limit  between  the  British 
possessions  and  the  line  of  coast  which  is  to  belong  to 
Russia,  as  above  mentioned — that  is  to  say,  the  limit  of 
the  possessions  ceded  by  this  convention — shall  be 
formed  by  a  line  parallel  to  the  winding  of  the  coast, 
and  which  shall  never  exceed  the  distance  of  ten  ma- 
rine leagues  therefrom.  The  western  limit,  within 
which  the  territories  arid  dominion  conveyed  are  con- 
tained, passes  through  a  point  in  Behring's  Strait  on  the 
parallel  of  65  deg.  30  min.  north  latitude,  at  its  inter- 


174  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

section  by  the  meridian,  which  passes  midway  between 
the  island  of  Krusenstern,  or  Jgnaalook,  and  the  island 
of  Ratmanog,  or  Noonerbook,  and  proceeds  due  north 
without  limitation  into  the  same  Frozen  Ocean.  Tiio 
same  western  limit  beginning  at  the  same  initial  point, 
proceeds  thence  in  a  course  nearly  north-west  through 
Behring's  Strait  and  Behring's  Sea,  so  as  to  pass  mid- 
way between  the  north-west  part  of  the  island  of  St. 
Lawrence  and  the  south-east  point  of  Cape  Choukottki 
to  the  meridian  of  172  deg.  west  longitude.  Thence, 
from  the  inter.-ection  of  that  meridian,  in  a  south-west- 
erly direction,  so  as  to  pass  midway  between  the  island 
of  Attou  and  the  copper  island  of  the  Koranddorski 
couplet  or  group  in  the  North  Pacific  Ocean,  to  the 
meridian  of  193  deg.  west  longitude,  so  as  to  include  in 
the  territory  conveyed  the  whole  of  the  Aleutian  Islands 
east  of  that  meridian. 

ART.  II.  In  the  cession  of  territory  and  dominion  made 
by  the  preceding  article,  are  included  the  right  of  prop- 
erty in  all  public  lots  and  squares,  vacant  lands,  and  all 
public  buildings,  barracks,  and  other  edifices  which  are 
not  private,  individual  property.  It  is,  however,  under- 
stood and  agreed  that  the  churches  which  have  been  built 
in  the  ceded  territory  by  the  Russian  Government  shall 
remain  the  property  of  such  members  of  the  Greek  Orien- 
tal Church  resident  in  the  territory  as  may  choose  to 
worship  therein.  Any  government  archives,  papers,  and 
documents  relative  to  the  territory  and  dominion  afore- 
said, which  may  be  now  existing  there,  will  be  left  in 
possession  of  the  agent  of  the  linked  States  ;  but  an  au- 
thenticated copy  of  such  of  them  as  may  be  required  will 


TREATIES.  175 

be  at  all  times  given  by  the  United  States  to  the  Russian 
Government,  or  to  such  Kussian  officers  or  subjects  as 
they  may  apply  for. 

AKT.  III.  The  inhabitants  of  the  ceded  territory,  accord- 
ing to  their  choice,  reserving  their  natural  allegiance,  may 
return  to  Russia  within  three  years ;  but  if  they  should 
prefer  to  lernain  in  the  ceded  territory,  they,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  uncivilized  tribes,  shall  be  admitted  to  the  en- 
joyment of  all  the  rights,  advantages,  and  immunities  of 
citizens  of  the  United  States,  and  shall  be  maintained  and 
protected  in  the  free  enjoyment  of  their  liberty,  property, 
and  religion.  The  uncivilized  tiibes  will  be  subject  to 
such  laws  and  regulations  as  the  United  States  may  from 
time  to  time  adopt  in  regard  to  aboriginal  tribes  of  that 
country. 

ART.  IV.  His  Majesty,  the  Emperor  of  all  the  Russia?, 
shall  appoint,  with  convenient  dispatch,  an  agent  or 
agents  for  the  purpose  of  formally  delivering  to  a  similar 
agent  or  agents,  appointed  on  behalf  of  the  United  States, 
the  territory,  dominion,  property,  dependencies,  and  ap- 
purtenances which  are  ceded  as  above,  and  for  doing  any 
other  act  which  may  be  necessary  in  regard  thereto ;  but 
the  cession,  with  the  right  of  immediate  possession,  is 
nevertheless  to  be  deemed  complete  and  absolute  on  the 
exchange  of  ratifications,  without  waiting  for  such  formal 
delivery. 

ART.  V.  Immediately  after  the  exchange  of  the  ratifica, 
tions  of  this  convention,  any  fortifications  or  military 
posts  which  may  be  in  the  ceded  territory  shall  be  deliv- 
ered to  the  agent  of  the  United  States,  and  any  Russian 
troops  which  may  be  in  the  territory  shall  be  withdrawn 


176  OUTLINES  OF   U.    S.    GOVERNMENT. 

as  soon  as  may  be  reasonably  and  conveniently  practica- 
ble. 

ART.  VI.  In  consideration  of  the  cession  aforesaid,  the 
United  States  agree  to  pay,  at  the  Treasury  in  Washing- 
ton, within  months  after  the  exchange  of  the  ratifica- 
tions of  this  convention,  to  the  diplomatic  representative, 
or  other  agent  of  His  Majesty,  the  Emperor  of  all  Rus- 
sias,  duly  authorized  to  receive  the  same,  million 
dollars  in  gold.  The  cession  of  territory  and  dominion 
herein  made  is  hereby  demanded  to  be  free  and  unincum- 
bered  by  any  reservations,  privileges,  franchises,  grants, 
or  possessions,  by  any  associated  companies,  whether 
corporate  or  incorporate,  Russian  or  any  other,  or  by  any 
parties  except  merely  private  individual  property  hold- 
ers ;  and  the  cession  hereby  made  conveys  all  the  rights, 
franchises  and  privileges  now  belonging  to  Russia  in  the 
said  territory  or  dominion  and  appurtenances  thereto. 

ART.  VII.  When  this  convention  shall  have  been  duly 
ratified  by  the  President  of  the  United  States,  by  and 
with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate,  on  the  one 
part,  and  on  the  other  by  His  Majesty,  the  Emperor  of  all 
the  Russias,  the  ratifications  shall  be  exchanged  at  Wash- 
ington  within  from  the  date  hereof,  or  sooner,  if  pos- 
sible. In  faith  whereof  the  respective  plenipotentiaries 
have  signed  this  convention,  and  thereto  affixed  the  seals 
of  their  arms. 


EXTRADITION     TREATIES.  177 


CHAPTER  XL. 
Extradition  Treaties. 

1.  IN  the  preceding  chapter  we  spoke  of  treaties  gener- 
ally. We  now  come  to  a  particular  kind  of  them,  called 
Extradition  Treaties,  which  are  of  so  recent  date,  that  they 
form  a  new  feature  in  our  diplomacy.*  Among  our 
treaties  with  foreign  nations,  we  find  nothing  upon  this 
subject  farther  back  than  the  year  1842,  when  a  treaty  of 
this  kind  was  made  between  the  United  States  and  England, 
the  necessity  for  which  arose  out  of  the  fact  that  persons 
frequently  committed  crimes  in  England,  and  then  fled  to 
the  United  States  (and  vice  versa}  to  escape  detection  and 
punishment ;  for  they  could  not  be  punished  in  the  coun- 
try to  which  they  fled,  inasmuch  as  it  had  no  jurisdiction 
of  a  crime  committed  in  a  foreign  country.  To  check  this 
evil,  a  treaty  was  made  betAveen  the  two  powers,  in  which 
they  mutually  agreed  to  deliver  up,  each  to  the  other,  any 
criminal  who  had  perpetrated  crimes  of  a  certain  kind 
(which  were  named  in  the  treaty)  in  his  own  country,  and 
afterwards  fled  to  the  other.  This  worked  well.  Its  ten- 
dency was  to  check  crime,  and  at  the  same  time  to  multi- 
ply the  chances  of  detection  and  punishment. 

*  DIPLOMACY,  the  art,  science  and  skill  of  conducting  and  m  ri- 
nging negotiations,  treaties  and  international  affairs.    It  also  relates 
to  the  customs,  usages,  and  privileges  of  foreign  ministers.    All  the  4 
foreign  ministers  to  any  government,  are  called  the  diplomatic* 
body. 


178      OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

2.  Subsequently,  treaties  of  the  same  kind  were  made 
between    the    United   States  and    the    following    coun- 
tries : — 

France,  in         1843 

Prussia,  and  17  other  German  States,         "          1852 

Switzerland,  "          1855 

Baden,  "  1857 

Sweden,  "          1860 

Venezuela,  South  America,  "          1861 

The  time  is  probably  not  distant,  when  treaties  of  thi3 

sort  will  be  made  between  us  and  all  the  civilized  nations 

of  the  world  ;  for  the  intercourse  between  us  and  foreign 

nations  is  greater  than  ever  before. 

The  effect  of  these  international  arrangements  is,  to 
render  the  perpetration  of  crime  more  dangerous  .than  it 
would  be  if  they  did  not  exist.  Flight  from  the  country 
where  the  crime  was  committed  was  formerly  one  of  the 
most  effectual  methods  of  escaping  the  penalty.  But  Ex- 
tradition Treaties,  Atlantic  Cables,  and  land  telegraphs, 
have  nearly  spoiled  this  game. 

3.  An  Extradition  Treaty  then  is,  a  mutual  agreement 
between  two  nations,  to  deliver  up,  each  to  the  other,  upon 
demand,  and  proper  proof  of  criminalty,  such  persons  as 
have  committed  crimes  in  one  country  and  then  fled  to  the 
other,  that  they  may  be  taken  back,  tried  and  punished 
where  the  offence  was  committed.     But   these    demands 
for  escaped  criminals  cannot  be  sustained  if  made  for  any 
crime  whatever.     They  will  only  be  complied   with  when 
the  crime  is  one  which  is  named  in  the  treaty  itself.  These 
crimes,  upon  examination  of  a  number  of  such  treaties,  we 
find  to  be  : — 1.  Murder,  or  an  assault  with  an  intent  to 


EXTRADITION    TREATIES.  179 

commit    murder.     2.    Piracy.      3.    Arson.     4.    Robbery 

5.  Forgery,  or  the  uttering  of  forged  papers,  or  the  mak- 
ing or  circulating  counterfeit  money,  either  paper  or  coin. 

6.  Rape.     7.  Embezzlement,  and   9.  Burglary. 

4.  It  should  be  observed  that  a  mere  demand  for  an 
alleged  offender  is  not   sufficient.     Proof  enough  to   con- 
vince the  judge  before  whom   the   case  is  brought  must 
accompany  the  demand.     He  must   be  satisfied  that  the 
party  demanded  has  committed  the  alleged  offence  ;  when 
this  is  done,  the  judge  reports  his  finding  to  the  Secretary 
of  State,  whose  duty  then  is,  under  his  hand  and  seal  of 
office,  to  issue  the  final  writ  of  Extradition  ;  after  .which 
the  criminal  may  be  taken  out  of  the  United   States  (by 
force  if  necessary),  and  back  to  the  country  where  he 
committed  the  crime,  there  to  be  dealt  \vith  according  to 
the  laws  which  he  had  violated.     ("  The  way  of  the  trans- 
gressor is  hard.") 

5.  In  some  of  our  Extradition  Treaties  it  is  expressly 
stipulated,  that  neither  party  (government)  shall  be  bound 
to  surrender  its  own  citizens,  or  any  person  for  a  merely 
political  offence.     In  others  it  is  agreed  that  the  provisions 
in  the  treaty  shall  not  apply  to  cases  where  the   alleged 
crime  was  perpetrated  before  the  treaty  was  made.     This 
plea,  we  think,  would  be  held  to  be  a  good  defence  in  all 
cases,  whether  so  stipulated  in  the  treaty  or  not. 

6.  The  treaties  between  different  nations  for  the  surren- 
der of  criminals,  are  so  analogous  to  one  of  the  provisions 
contained  in  our  Constitution,  that  to  insert  it  here   will 
give  the  reader  a  clear  comprehension  of  its  meaning.     It 
is    found   in  the  second   section  of  Article  4,  and  reads 
thus — 


380  OUTLINES   OF   TJ.    S.    GOVERNMENT. 

"  A  person  charged  in  any  State,  with  treason,  felony, 
or  other  crime,  who  shall  flee  from  justice,  and  be  found 
in  another  State,  shall  on  demand  of  the  executive  author- 
ity of  the  State  from  which  he  fled,  be  delivered  up,  to  be 
removed  to  the  State  having  jurisdiction  of  the  crime." 


LETTERS   OF   MARQUE    AND    REPRISAL.          181 


CHAPTER  XLI. 
tetters  of  Marque  and  Reprisal. 

1.  THE  Constitution  (Art.   1,  Sec.   8),    gives   Congress 
power  to  declare  war,  and  to  grand  letters  of  marque  and 
reprisal.    This  is  an  act  never  to  be  done,  but  in  time  of 
war.     Congress  itself,  does  not  issue  the  letters,  but  au- 
thorizes the  President  to  do  so.      An  act  was  passed  in 
13G3,  expressly  giving  him  this  authority.      A  letter  of 
marque  and  reprisal  may  be  thus  defined. 

2.  It  is  a  written  commission  signed  and  sealed  by  a 
competent   authority   of  our  nation,  giving  to  the  com- 
mander of  a  private  armed  vessel,  called  a  privateer,  au- 
thority to  capture  the  ships  and  goods  belonging  to  the 
subjects  of  another  nation,  between  which  nations  there  is 
an  existing  war.     This  is  a  general  definition.     But  when 
such  letters  are  issued  by   the  United   States,   they  are 
signed  by  the  President  and  sealed  with  the  seal  of  the 
United  States.      Without  such  commission,  thus  signed 
and  sealed,  any  capture  made  by  the  commander  of  a  pri- 
vate Aressel,  would  be  piracy.      If  a  capture   is  made,  it 
must  be  made  according  to  the  laws  of  war,  as  recognized 
by  civilized  nations,   and   according   to   the   instructions 
given  by  the  President.     Any  conduct  on  the  part  of  a 
privateer,  contrary  to  these  rules,  would  vitiate  his  pro- 
ceedings, and  he  would  not  be  entitled  to  the  property  he 
had  captured, 


182  OUTLINES  OP  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

3.  The  captured  vessel  is  called  a  prize,  and  must  be 
taken  into  some  port  of  the  United  States,  or  in  some  port 
of  a  country  in  amity  with  the  United  States,  where  le«^al 
proceedings    are    taken  before  some  court  of  competent 

iurisdiction  ;  and  the  capture  and  all  the  circumstances  of 
it  are  enquired  into ;  and  if  all  is  found  to  have  been  done 
according  to  the  laws  of  civilized  nations,  the  captured 
vessel  and  cargo  is  condemned  as  a  prize.  But  if  not  con- 
demned,the  captors  lose  her.  "When  adjudged  to  be  a  law- 
ful prize,  the  ship  and  cargo  are  sold  and  the  money  di- 
vided between  the  officers  and  men,  according  to  rank, 
and  according  to  the  laws  of  Congress  on  this  subject. 
These  laws  give  the  whole  to  the  captors,  when  the  ship 
taken  is  of  equal  or  superior  force  to  the  ship  making  the 
capture ;  but  if  of  inferior  force,  then  the  United  States 
takes  one  half. 

4.  Privateering,  as  this  business  is  called,  was  once  con- 
sidered a  lawful  and  honorable  mode  of  warfare.       It  was 
generally  practiced  between  belligerent  nations ;    but  in 
later  days  its  propriety  and  morality  have  been  questioned. 
It  is  beginning  to  be  looked  upon  as  a  kind  of  robbery  not 
very  distantly  related  to  piracy.      That  it  is  robberry  no 
one  can  deny,  and,  query,  "  Can   it  be  justified,  on  the 
ground  that  the  robber  and  the  robbed  are  the  subjects  of 
nations  at  war  with  each  other  ?" 

5.  In  Europe  an  effort  has  been  made  to  do  away  with 
this  species  of  warfare.     "We  hope  it  will  yet  succeed,  and 
that  all  nations  will  agree  to  abolish  this  system  of  plunder. 
Innocent  parties   are   generally  the   sufferers,  while  but 
small  injury  is  done  to  the  power  of  the  hostile  nation. 


SUFFRAGE.  183 


CHAPTER    XLII. 
Suffrage. 

1.  THE  right  of  Suffrage,  in  its  political  sense,  means  tho 
right  to  vote  for  such  officers  as  are  elected  by  the  people ; 
including  officers  of  the  general  Government,  as  well  as 
those  of  the  State  Government,  for  whs^n  the  right  of  suf- 
frage is  conferred  upon  a  man,  it  gives  him  the  right  of 
voting  for  every  elective  officer,  from  the  President  of  the 
United  States  down  to  the  lowest  State,  or  municipal 
officer. 

In  the  Constitution,  or  laws  of  Congress,  we  find  but 
little  said  on  the  suffrage  question  ;  because  Congress  has 
never  claimed  the  right  or  power  to  legislate  on  this  sub- 
ject. It  has  been  conceded  that  this  matter  is  one  which 
belongs  to  the  States ;  whatever  qualifications  the  respec- 
tive States  required  of  their  citizens  to  vote  for  their  own 
State  officers,  have  been  accepted  by  the  general  Govern- 
ment as  the  qualifications  necessary  to  authorize  them  to 
vote  for  President,  Vice-President,  and  Congressmen,  the 
only  officers  of  the  United  States  Government  for  which 
the  people,  under  the  provisions  of  the  Constitution  as  it 
now  stands,  can  vote. 

2.  From  this  statement  we  see  that  persons  who,  in  one 
State,  may  vote  for  President,  Vice-President  and  Con- 
gressmen, cannot  do  so  in  another  State;    because  the 


184  OUTLINES  OF  U.   S.   GOVERNMENT. 

qualifications  of  voters  in  some  States  differ  from  those  of 
voters  in  others.  For  example,  some  States  icquire  a  res- 
idence in  the  State  of  one  year,  before  a  man  can  enjoy 
this  franchise,  other  States  but  six  months.  In  most  of 
the  States,  it  is  required  of  foreigners  to  become  citizens 
by  naturalization  before  they  are  allowed  to  vote.  But  in 
some,  tliis  is  not  required.  In  some  of  the  States  colored 
persons  can  vote.  In  others  this  right  is  not  given  to  them 
under  any  circumstances.  Although  it  has  long  been  con- 
ceded that  the  power  of  conferring  the  right  of  suffrage 
was  one  which  belonged  exclusively  to  the  States,  and 
although  they  have  been  allowed  to  do  in  this  matter  as 
it  seemed  right  to  them ;  yet  it  is  a  question  worthy  of 
serious  thought,  whether  Congress  ought  not,  by  law,  to 
establish  a  uniform  qualification  of  voters,  one  that  is  alike 
in  all  the  States,  whenever  the  elector  votes  for  President, 
Vice-President  or  Congressmen ;  for  the  people  in  all  the 
States  are  affected  as  much  by  the  votes  given  for  those 
ofiicers,  in  any  one  State,  as  they  are  by  those  given  in 
their  own. 

3.  But  it  has  always  been  a  troublesome  question  to  de- 
termine in  every  government  where  the  people  vote  at  all 
"  who  ought,  and  who  ought  not  to  vote  ?"  In  the 
United  States  the  elective  franchise  is  extended  further 
than  in  most  other  countries.  Yet  this  question  here  has 
caused  a  great  amount  of  political  discussion.  The  Con^ 
stitutions  of  several  of  the  States  have  been  changed  in  the 
effort  to  adjust  this  question  on  a  correct  basis.  Up  to 
this  day,  it  remains  unsettled  in  some  of  its  features  and 
details.  Some  contending  that  it  is  too  much  extended, 


SUFFRAGE.  185 

that  is,  that  it  is  granted  to  persons  who   ought  not  to 
have  it,  while  to  others  it  is  denied. 

4.  The  question  of  suffrage  was  never  more  discussed 
throughout  the  country  than  at  the  present  tune;  but  the 
discussion  turns  principally  upon  the  justice  and  propriety 
of  extending  this  right  to  the  colored  people,  as  they  are 
now  all  free. 


186  OUTLINES   OF   U.   S.   GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER    XLIII. 
Seals. 

X  SEALS  are  of  great  antiquity.  We  read  of  them  and 
of  their  use  as  far  back  as  the  days  of  Queen  Esther.  They 
were  then  used  as  they  are  now,  to  give  additional  proof 
of  the  authenticity  or  genuineness  of  any  document  or 
paper  to  which  they  were  attached ;  it  being  much  easier 
to  counterfeit  a  mere  signature  than  the  impression  of  a 
Beal.  They  are  of  various  devices,  patterns  and  designs, 
and  generally  are  emblematic  of  some  historical  fact,  event 
or  sentiment.  They  afe  used  on  papers  and  documents 
emanating  from  the  government,  or  from  some  department 
of  it.  The  law  requires  them  to  be  attached  and  affixed 
to  commissions,  and  many  other  papers,  without  which 
the  paper  would  have  oo  legality  or  validity.  Formerly, 
the  usual  mode  of  sealing  a  paper,  was  to  place  melted 
wax  on  the  margin,  and  then  press  the  seal  into  the  wax. 
This  left  the  impression  of  the  seal,  and  the  work  was  fin- 
ished. 

2.  But  this  mode  of  affixing  seals  was  a  rather  slow  pro- 
cess, and  required  more  time  than  could  often  be  spared 
for  that  purpose.  In  view  of  which,  Congress,  hi  1854 
passed  the  following  law — 

"  In  all  cases  where  a  seal  is  necessary  by  law  to  any 
commission,  process,  or  other  instrument,  provided  for  by 


SEALS.  ]  87 

the  laws  of  Congress,  it  shall  be  lawful  to  affix  the  proper 
seal  by  making  an  impression  therewith,  directly  on  the 
paper  to  which  such  seal  is  necessary,  which  shall  be  as 
valid  as  if  made  on  wax,  or  other  adhesive  substance." 

The  United  States  have  a  s^al,  denominated  "The 
Great  Seal."  This  is  in  the  care  and  custody  of  the  Secre- 
tary of  State,  and  it  is  his  duty  to  affix  it  to  all  civil  com- 
missions* to  officers  of  the  United  States,  appointed  by 
the  President,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the 
Senate,  or  by  the  President  alone. 

But  the  law  forbids  it  even  to  be  so  affixed  to  any  com- 
mission, or  other  instrument,  until  the  President  has  first 
signed  it.  Without  his  signature,  the  instrument  has  no 
validity.  The  seal  is  then  affixed  in  proof  of  the  genuine- 
ness of  his  signature. 

3.  The  Secretary  of  State,  and  all  the  other  secretaries 
of  the  great  departments,  each  have  a  seal  of  office  which  is 
affixed  to  commissions,  and  to  other  instruments  emanat- 
ing from  their  respective  offices. 

Several  of  the  most  important  bureaus  are  required  by 
law  to  have  seals  of  office ;  for  example,  the  Land  Office 
and  the  Patent  Office.  When  the  United  States  gives  a 
patent  (title)  to  land,  it  must  be  sealed  by  the  Land  Office 
seal.  A  Patent  Right  must  be  issued  under  the  seal  of 
the  Patent  Office. 

4.  One  of  the  most  common,  and  important  uses  of  seals, 
arises  from  the  necessity  people  are  often  under   to   have 
copies  of  records,  maps,  and   various  other  papers,    the 
originals   of  which  are   in  some  of  the   departments  at 

*  The  word  commission,  here  means  a  document  or  certificate, 
given  to  one  who  has  received  an  office,  in  proof  of  his  appoint- 
ment to,  and  his  authority  to  discharge,  the  duties  of  that  office. 


188  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

"Washington,  to  be  used  as  evidence  in  courts,  where  trials 
and  other  legal  proceedings  are  pending.  In  order  to 
provide  for  this  necessity,  Congress  has  enacted,  that 
copies  of  such  records,  maps,  and  papers,  belonging  to 
any  of  the  government  officers, — under  the  signature  of 
the  head  of  such  officer,  or  of  his  chief  clerk, — with  the 
seal  affixed,  shall  be  as  competent  evidence  in  all  cases,  as 
their  original  would  be. 

In  chapter  XC  we  have  given  a  number  of  forms  of 
seals.  Over  the  name  of  each  State  we  have  placed 
the  Great  Seal  of  that  State,  or,  as  it  is  sometimes 
called,  its  Coat  of  Arms.  These  various  devices  are  the 
mere  conceptions  of  the  artist,  yet  they  are  emblematic 
of  some  political  sentiment,  or  of  some  characteristic 
of  that  State. 


BONDS.  189 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 
Bonds. 

1.  THE  vast  sums  of  money  annually  collected  from  du- 
ties, from  the  sale  of  public  lands,  and  from  all  other 
sources  from  -which  the  revenue  of  the  nation  is  raised ; 
and  then  the  disbursement  of  the  same,  to  the  army,  to 
the  navy,  to  the  civil  officers,  and  to  the  various  employ- 
ees of  the  Government,  and  to  the  different  purposes  for 
which  the  public  money  is  appropriated ;  requires  a  host 
of  officials  and  agents  to  transact  all  this  business.  Hence 
the  Government  has  collectors  of  Customs,  collectors  of 
Taxes,  Postmasters,  receivers  of  money  for  the  sale  of 
public  lands,  and  so  on ;  all  of  whom  are  receivers  of  the 
public  money.  These  pay  it  into  the  United  States  Treas- 
ury, from  whence  it  is  paid  out  directly  to  parties  having 
claims  against  the  Government,  or  to  agents  who  disburse 
it  to  those  to  whom  it  is  due. 

By  the  dishonesty  of  the  officers  and  agents  who  receive, 
hold  or  disburse  these  funds,  the  Government  would  be 
the  loser,  and  the  people  would  be  defrauded  of  their 
money.  We  say  the  people,  because  every  man  who 
cheats  or  defrauds  the  Government,  cheats  and  defrauds 
every  man,  woman  and  child  in  the  country.  Hence  the 
detestable  character  of  public  swindlers  and  defaulters. 

2.  But  to  guard  against  this  as  far  as  possible,  the  law 


190  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

requires  a  man  when  he  accepts  of  one  of  these  offices,  to 
take  an  oath,  or  make  a  solemn  affirmation,  promising 
faithfully  to  perform  the  duties  of  the  office  he  enters  upon. 
But  even  this  does  not  always  secure  honesty.  Some  men 
will  violate  their  oaths  for  money.  A  further  remedy  is 
resorted  to,  for  further  security  against  dishonesty.  For 
this  purpose  laws  have  been  made,  requiring  all  officers 
and  agents  who  receive,  hold  or  disburse  the  public 
money,  to  give  bonds  with  sufficient  security  for  the  faith- 
ful performance  of  their  trust.  These  bonds  hold  the 
sureties  as  well  as  the  officer,  and  are  signed  by  one  and 
sometimes  two  or  three  bondsmen,  of  sufficient  means  to 
insure  the  government  against  loss.  It  would  be  too 
tedious  and  uninteresting  to  enumerate  all  the  Govern- 
ment officers  who  have  to  give  bonds,  before  they  can 
enter  upon  their  duties.  Therefore,  we  stated  before,  that 
the  law  requires  all  of  this  class  to  do  so.  We  are  not 
aware  of  any  exceptions. 

These  bonds  are  given  for  various  amounts,  which  corres- 
pond with  the  amount  of  money  to  be  received  or  held  by 
the  officers  who  execute  them. 

3.  The  law  prescribes  the  form  of  these  bonds,  which  is 
as  follows : — 

.    "  Know  all  men  by  these  presents,  that  we,  ,  are 

held  and  firmly  bound  unto  the  United  States  of  America, 
in  the  full  and  just  sum  of,  dollars,  money  of  the 

United  States ;  to  which  payment,  well  and  truly  to  be 
made,  we  bind  ourselves  jointly  and  severally,  our  joint 
and  several  heirs,  executors  and  administrators,  firmly  by 
these  presents.  Sealed  with  our  seals,  and  dated  this 
day  of  one  thousand  The  condition 


BONDS.  191 

of  the  foregoing  obligation  is  such,  that,  whereas  the  Pres- 
ident of  the  United  States  hath,  pursuant  to  law,  ap- 
pointed the  said  to  the  office  of  ,  in  the  State 
of  .  Now  therefore  if  the  said  has  truly  and 
faithfully  executed  and  discharged,  and  shall  continue 
truly  and  faithfully  to  execute  and  discharge  all  the  duties 
of  the  said  office,  according  to  law;  then  the  above  obliga- 
tion to  be  void  and  of  none  effect,  otherwise  it  shall  abide 
and  remain  in  full  force  and  virtue." 

4.  These  bonds,  when  signed  by  the  office  holder ,  or  per- 
son bound  to  the  Government,  and  by  his  surety,  are  held 
in  the  Treasury  department  as  security  for  the  faithful 
performance  of  whatever  the  bounden  parties  have  agi-eed 
to  do.  In  case  of  any  failure  or  defalcation,  all  the  par- 
ties signing  the  bond  are  held  responsible  for  the 
amount  named  in  the  bond  ;  and  may  bo  sued  by  the 
Government,  and  made  to  pay  all  damages. 

But  notwithstanding  all  these  precautions,  and  in  spite 
of  oaths  and  bonds,  the  Government  is  defrauded  out  of 
millions  of  money,  by  the  very  men  whom  i(i  favors  with 
positions  of  honor  and  emolument.  Reader,  should  you 
ever  hold  a  position  under  your  Government,  let  not  the 
sin  of  perjury  blacken  your  soul,  nTJr  the  criip«  ot  dishon- 
esty tarnish  your  character.  "  Honesty  is  the  l?«r*  policy." 
"  An  honest  man  is  the  noblest  work  of  God." 


192  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER    XLV. 
Oaths. 

1.  AN  oj»th  is  an  appeal  to  God,  by  him  who  makes  it, 
that  what  he  has  said,  or  what  he  shall   say,  is  the  truth. 
It  is  the  most  solemn  form  under  which  one  can  assert  or 
pronounce  anything.     To  utter  a  falsehood  while  under 
oath  is  perjury,  a  crime  of  the  darkest  hue.     One  which 
God  has  declared  he  will  punish,  and  one  which  is  made 
infamous,  and  punishable  by  fine  and  imprisonment  by  the 
laws  of  the  land. 

2.  The  Constitution  (Art.  G,  Sec.  3)  requires  that  Sena- 
tors and  Representatives,  and  members  of  the  the   several 
State  Legislatures,  and  all  executive  and  judicial  officers, 
both  of  the  United  States,  and  of  the  several  States,  shall 
be  bound  by  oath  or  affirmation  to  support  the  Constitu- 
tion.    Then  in  the  second  article,  section  eight,   the   form 
of  the  oath  required  of  tlic  President  before  he  enters  upon 
his  duties,  is  given  in  these  words — 

"  I  do  solemnly  swear  (or  affirm)  that  I  will  faithfully 
execute  the  office  of  President  of  the  United  States,  and 
will  to  the  best  of  ray  ability  preserve,  protect  and  defend 
the  Constitution  of  the  United  States." 

3  This  is  all  the  Constitution  says  about  oaths ;  but  it 
is  enough  to  show  that  no  man  (unless  he  commit  perjury) 
can  accept  office,  either  under  the  United  States  or  any 


OATHS.  193 

State  government,  unless  he  in  good  faith  wil\  support  the 
Constitution. 

But  in  the  laws  enacted  by  Congress,  we  find  that  not 
only  official  oaths  are  required  ;  but  in  a  great  variety  of 
other  cases,  men  who  transact  business  with  the  govern- 
ment, are  required  to  verify  their  accounts  and  statements 
with  an  oath.  This  is  particularly  the  case  with  those 
who  do  business  with  the  Custom.  Houses  ;  such  as  mer- 
chauts,  shipowners,  and  masters  of  vessels.  Many  oaths 
must  be  put  in  the  form  of  affidavits ;  that  is,  the  oath 
must  be  written  and  signed  by  the  deponent,  that  the 
statements  made  may  be  preserved. 

4.  The  form  of  official  oaths  varies  according  to  the  nature 
of  the  duties  to  be  performed  by  the  deponent.     The  oath 
must   be  taken  before  the  officer  enters  upon  his  duties. 
Should  he  neglect  or  refuse  to  do  this,  his  acts  would  be 
illegal,    and   he   would   make   himself  liable   to   punish- 
ment. 

After  the  late  civil  war  broke  out,  Congress,  for  the 
purpose  of  preventing  those  who  had  voluntarily  taken 
part  in  the  rebellion,  from  holding  thereafter  any  office 
under  the  Government,  passed  an  act  requiring  every  one 
before  he  could  accept  any  office,  either  in  the  civil,  mili- 
tary, or  naval  departments,  to  take  an  oath  in  the  follow- 
ing form — 

5.  "  I,  A.  B.,  do  solemnly  swear  (or  affirm)  that  I  have 
never  voluntarily  borne  arms  against  the  United  States, 
since  I  have  been  a  citizen  thereof;  that  I  have  voluntarily 
given  no  aid,  countenance,  counsel  or  encouragement  to 
persons  engaged  in  armed  hostility  thereto;  that   I  havt 
neither  sought,  nor  accepted,  nor  attempted  to   exercise 


194  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

the  functions  of  any  office  whatever,  under  any  authority, 
or  pretended  authority,  in  hostility  to  the  United  States  ; 
that  I  have  not  yielded  a  voluntary  support  to  any  prc: 
tended  government,  authority,  poAvcr  or  constitution, 
within  the  United  States,  hostile  or  inimical  thereto.  And 
I  do  further  swear  (or  affirm)  that  to  the  best  of  my  knowl- 
edge and  ability,  I  will  support  and  defend  the  Constitu» 
tion  of  the  United  States,  against  all  enemies,  foreign  and 
domestic;  that  I  will  bear  true  faith  and  allegiance  to  the 
same ;  that  I  take  this  obligation  freely,  without  any  men- 
tal reservation  or  purpose  of  evasion,  and  that  I  will  well 
and  faithfully  discharge  the  duties  of  the  office  on  which  I 
am  about  to  enter.  So  help  me  God." 

So  strong  and  comprehensive  an  oath  as  this,  was  never 
before  required  from  any  officer  of  the  Government,  It 
answers  the  requirements  of  the  Constitution,  and  substan- 
tially comprehends  all  contained  in  any  other  forms  here- 
tofore used.  It  is  at  once  an  oath  of  allegiance,  an  oath 
of  support  of  the  Constitution,  and  an  oath  to  discharge 
faithfully  the  duties  of  the  office  taken.  This  goes  by  the 
name  of  the  TEST  oath,  and  frequently  "  The  Ironclad 
Oath." 

6.  The  object  of  binding  all  officers  of  the  general  and 
State  governments,  by  oath,  is  to  place  them  under  the 
most  solemn  obligation  to  be  faithful  and  honest  in  the 
discharge  of  their  duties.  They  cannot  be  otherwise, 
without  committing  one  of  the  most  flagitious  crimes.  And 
yet,  lamentable  to  say,  men  have  accepted  office  under 
these  most  solemn  obligations,  and  have  afterwards  utterly 
disregarded  them,  and  have  been  unfaithful  in  every  re- 
spect, both  in  the  support  of  the  Constitution  and  in  the 


OATHS.  195 

discharge  of  their  official  duties.  For  this  cause,  although 
we  have  an  excellent  form  of  government,  perhaps  the 
best  in  the  world,  yet  in  its  administration  a  great  deal 
that  is  wrong  and  corrupt  is  found ;  and  fears  have  been 
entertained  that  it  would  be  broken  down  and  destroyed, 
by  the  corruption  of  those  who  administer  it.  Good  men 
should  always  be  chosen  to  make  and  administer  the  laws 
in  any  country,  and  under  any  form  of  government. 


196  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER    XLVI. 
Revenue. 

1.  THE  revenue  of  any  government,  is  its  income,  or 
"money  raised  from  any  source  whatever  to  defray  the  ex- 
penses incurred  in  its  administration.     These  expenses  are 
always  heavy,  are  counted  by  millions,  and  the  subjects  or 
citizens  of  the  government,  must  pay  them  in  some  way  ; 
either  by  duties  on  imported  goods,  by  direct  taxation  on 
property,  by  payments  for  certain  rights  and  privileges 
conferred  by  the  government,  &c.,  &c.      Different  govern- 
ments resort  to  different  methods  to  raise  their  revenue. 

2.  The  United  States  have  always  raised  the  greater 
part  of  it  by  duties  on  imported  goods.       These  have 
sometimes  been  found  sufficient  to  defray  all  expenses  ; 
and  at  other  times  insufficient,  depending   on  the  circum- 
stances of  a  high  or  low  tariff,  or  on  ordinary,  or  extraor- 
dinary expenses  of  Government.     In  times  of  war  all  these 
resources  put  together  have  been  insufficient,   and  it  has 
become  necessary  to  borrow  money  to  sustain  it.      War 
expenses  have  been  the  source  of  most  of  the  national 
debts  in  all  countries. 

3.  At  the  close  of  the  late  civil  war  between  the  Xorth 
and  South,  the  national  debt  amounted  to  nearly   3,000,- 
000,000  of  dollars ;  and  this  in  addition  to  the  vast  amounts 
paid  during  the  existence  of  the  war.      This   created  the 


REVENUE.  197 

necessity  for  increasing  the  revenue  of  the  country,  and 
the  Government  had  to  resort  to  direct  taxation,  in  addi- 
tion to  all  its  ordinary  resources,  and  to  all  the  money  it 
borrowed,  to  sustain  the  expenses  of  the  war.  And  now 
after  it  is  over,  the  taxes  are  continued  for  the  purpose 
of  paying  its  enormous  public  debt.  This  furnishes  us 
with  a  forcible  example  of  one  of  the  great  evils  of  war. 

4.  The  proceeds  of  sales  of  the  public  lands  have  been 
another  source  of  revenue  to  the  United  States,  which  few 
other  governments  possess  ;  because  their  territory  is  not 
as  extensive  as  ours,  and  they  have  but  little,  if  any  pub- 
lic lands  to  dispose  of.      The  empires  of  Russia  and  Brazil 
may  be  exceptions  to  this  general  fact. 

5.  Duties  collected  on  imported  goods,  the  sale  of  public 
lands,  the  income  of  the  post  office  department,  and  direct 
taxation,  (when  resorted  to)  are  the  principal  sources  from 
which  the  revenues  of  th-u  United  States  ai*e  raised.     There 
are  comparatively  small  amounts,  however,  raised  from 
other  sources ;  such  as  the  duties  paid  upon  the  tonnage 
of  vessels,  forfeitures  of  goods,smuggled  or  attempted  to  be 
smuggled  into  the  country ;  forfeiture  of  vessels  engaged 
in  the  smuggling  business,  prizes  taken  in  time  of  war ; 
fees  paid  for  licences  granted ;  and  for  services  rendered 
by  certain  government  officials,   &c.      But  all  these  put 
together,  are  insignificant  in  amount,  compared  with  the 
first  named. 

6.  The  revenues  of  any  government  afford  a  tolerably 
correct  indication  of  its  wealth,  population  and  power. 
Small  and  weak   ones    have  small  revenues.      Wealthy, 
populous  and  strong  ones,  have  large  revenues. 


198  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER    XLVII. 
Internal  Revenue. 

1.  IN  our  chapter  on  Revenue,  we  observed  that  direct 
taxation  was  one  of  the  means  to  which  the  government 
had  to  resort,  when  the  proceeds  from  import  duties  and 
ordinary  sources  failed  to  meet  its  expenses. 

The  late  civil  war  caused  an  emergency  of  this  kind. 
All  former  wars  in  which  the  United  States  had  been  en- 
gaged did  not  require  one-quarter  of  the  money  for  their 
prosecution  that  this  did ;  and  of  course  the  ordinary  rev- 
enues of  the  government  were  entirely  insufficient  to  de- 
fray its  expense.  This  state  of  things  became  apparent 
soon  after  the  war  commenced.  To  meet  it,  Congress,  as 
early  as  1861  [the  war  broke  out  in  April  of  this  year], 
passed  an  act  called  "  The  Internal  Revenue  Law,"  by  the 
provisions  of  which,  twenty  millions  of  dollars  were  to  be 
raised  annually  by  direct  taxes  upon  houses  and  lands,  in 
each  of  the  States  and  Territories  in  the  United  States. 

2.  By  subsequent  acts,  not  only  houses  and  lands  were 
taxed,  but  almost  every  sort  of  property  and  business. 
Licenses   were   requii-ed    for   persons   to   carry  on  their 
profession,    trade    or    business ;    incomes    were    taxed ; 
deeds,  mortgages,  notes,  bonds,  bank  checks,  and  papers 
of  almost  every  kind  were  invalid  unless  they  had  a  reve- 
nue stamp  upon  them.     Manufacturers  had  to  pay  such  a 


INTERNAL      REVENUE.  103 

percentage  on  whatever  they  made.  Scarcely  any  calling, 
trade,  profession,  business  or  thing  escaped  it,  directly  or 
indirectly. 

So  thorough  a  taxation  the  people  never  experienced 
before ;  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  they  never  will  again. 
This  is  one  of  the  fruits  of  Avar.  But  what  makes  this 
doubly  aggravating,  is  that  this  was  a  civil  war.  The 
people  have  this  enormous  load  of  taxation  to  carry,  to 
pay  for  killing  each  other.  When  will  men  learn  war  no 
more  ?  When  will  men  cease  to  be  wicked  and 
foolish  ? 

3.  To  carry  out  the  objects  and  provisions  of  this  bill, 
it  became  necessary,  in  the   first  place,  to  divide  every 
State  and  Territory  into  collection  districts,  entirely   dif. 
ferent,  however,  from  the  collection  districts  for  the  collec- 
tion  of  the   custom  duties.     These,  as  stated  in  another 
place,  are  located  along  the  sea-coast,  and  on  the  shores  of 
gulfs,  bays  and  sounds,  or  on  the  shores  of  such  navigable 
lakes  and  rivers   as  are   accessible  to  vessels  from  some 
foreign  country ;  whereas,  the  collection  districts  for  the 
collection  of  the  Internal  Revenue  are  necessarily  located 
in  every  part  of  each  State  and  Territory,  as  much  inland 
as  along  the  coast.     As  far  as  practicable,  they  are  made, 
both  in  number  and  territory,  identical  with  the  Congres- 
sional districts. 

4.  This  law  also  made  it  necessai*y  to  create  a  host  of 
new  officers  to  execute  its  provisions.     In  the  first  place, 
an  officer  is  appointed  in  the  Treasury  Department,  and 
denominated  the  "  Commissioner  of  Internal    Revenue." 
lie  is,  like  all  officers  of  his  grade,  appointed  by  the  Presi- 
dent and  Senate,  and  receives  a  salary  of  four  thousand 


200  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

dollars  per  annum.  He  is  charged  with  the  duty  [under 
the  direction  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury]  of  prepar- 
ing all  the  instructions,  forms,  blanks,  stamps  and  licences 
to  be  used  throughout  the  country,  by  all  officers  and 
agents  employed  in  the  collection  of  these  taxes,  and  to 
Bee  to  the  execution  of  the  law  relating  thereto. 

5.  Then  comes  an  Assessor,  and  a  Collector,  each  with 
a  deputy  or  deputies,  if  need  be,  for  every  district.     One 
to  assess  the  value  of  all  property  liable  to  taxation,  and 
the  other  to  collect  and  receive  the  monies  so  assessed. 
The  Collectors  pay  the  monies  so  received  into  the  Treas- 
ury at  Washington,  or  into  such  banks  or  other  places  as 
may  be  directed  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 

The  money  to  be  thus  raised  is  apportioned  to  each 
State  and  Territory  in  proportion  to  their  representation 
in  Congress  ;  and  a  separate  account  of  this  tax  is  kept  in 
the  Treasury  Department  with  each  State  and  Terri- 
tory. 

6.  Much  more  might  be  said  about  other  subordinate 
officers  and  agents  employed  by  the  government  for  the 
pupose  of  carrying  out  the   provisions   of  the   Revenue 
laws  ;  and  much  more  might  be  said  about   many  of  its 
details ;  for  it  contains  an  unusual  number  of  provisions, 
in  no  less  than  three,  hundred  and  twenty-nine  section?. 
But  many  of  these  have  already  been  changed  by  subse- 
quent acts,  and  will  probably  be  modified  by  every  Con- 
gress that  may  meet,  until  the  whole  law   shall   become 
unnecessary  by  the  paying  off  of  the  whole  national  debt, 
or  such  a  reduction  of  it  as  will  enable  the  Government  to 
dispense  with  this  extraordinary  means  of  meeting  its  ob- 
ligations.    The  very  frequent  modifications  of  all  tax  laws 


INTERNAL     REVENUE.  201 

renders  it  quite  unnecessary  to  dwell  with  much  minute- 
ness on  their  provisions  in  detail. 

I  hope  this  outline  of  the  objects  of  the  law,  and  the  ac- 
count given  of  the  principal  officers  engaged  in  carrying 
it  into  effect  will  satisfy  the  general  reader. 


202  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  XL VIII. 
Custom  Bouses  and  Custom  House  Officers. 

1.  CUSTOM  Houses  are  Government  offices,  generally  lo- 
cated in  seaport  cities  and  towns,  for  the  purpose  of  col- 
lecting the  duties  charged  upon  imported  goods.     Nearly 
all  goods  "brought  from  foreign  countries  into  the  United 
States,  are  brought  by  ships  and  other  vessels  by  sea. 
Hence,   seaports   are   the   proper    localities    for   Custom 
Houses.  Ports  where  they  are  established,  are  called  ports 
of  entry.     Here,  vessels  from  foreign  ports  are  allowed  to 

.  enter,  and  here  the  duties  on  foreign  goods  are  collected 
by  Custom  House  officers  appointed  for  that  purpose. 

The  principal  of  these  officials  is  called  a  COLLECTOR  OF 
CUSTOMS.  He  is  appointed  by  the  President  and  Senate, 
and  holds  his  office  during  the  pleasure  of  the  President. 
This  office  is  one  of  great  responsibility ;  for  the  Collectors 
of  Customs  receive  and  pay  over  into  the  United  States 
Treasury  by  far  the  greater  part  of  the  revenues  of  the 
country ;  that  is,  under  ordinary  circumstances.  But 
under  the  present  extraordinary  exigencies  of  the  nation, 
which  grew  out  of  the  late  civil  war,  the  Government  has 
been  obliged  to  resort  to  direct  taxation  to  sustain  its  ex- 
penses ;  and  a  larger  amount  has  been  raised  by  this 
means  than  by  duties  on  imports. 

2.  A  Collector  of  Customs  is  therefore  required  to  give 


CUSTOM   HOUSE   OFFICERS.  203 

heavy  bonds  for  the  faithful  performance  of  his  duties. 
He  must  give  his  bonds,  arid  take  his  official  oath  be- 
fore entering  upon  his  duties,  which  are  numerous  and 
various.  lie  has  the  power,  also,  with  the  approbation  of 
the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  to  appoint  the  subordinate 
Custom  House  officers,  such  as  weighers,  measurers, 
gangers,  inspectors,  watchmen,  store  keepers,  &c.  These 
he  nominates,  and  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  confirms 
or  rejects  them. 

HIS    DUTIES. 

3,  These  duties  require  him  to  collect  all  duties  which 
Congress  has  imposed  on  every  kind  of  imported  goods 
brought  into  the  port  or  ports  of  which  he  is  the  collector. 
In  order  to  do  this  he  requires  a  deputy,  and  in  large 
ports  several  of  them,  whom  he  appoints,  together  with  as 
manv  of  the  above  named  subordinates  as  the  business 
done  at  the  port  requires.  He  must  receive  all  reports, 
manifests,  and  documents  to  be  exhibited  on  the  entry  oT 
any  ship  or  vessel,  whether  domestic  or  foreign ;  and  all 
accounts  of  all  the  goods  they  have  on  board.  He  must 
estimate  the  duties  to  be  paid  thereon,  receive  the  monies 
paid  therefor,  and  take  all  bonds  for  securing  the  payment 
thereof,  and  grant  all  permits  for  landing  the  goods. 
Once  in  three  months  he  must  transmit  all  monies  col- 
lected by  him  to  the  Treasury  department  at  Washington, 
together  with  full  and  accurate  accounts  of  all  his  trans- 
actions relating  to  the  collection  of  duties  at  the  port  of 
Avhich  lie  is  collector. 

4.  He  must  examine  the  manifests,  not  only  of  all  ships 
and  vessels  with  their  cargoes  which  arrive  within  the 
port  or  district  for  which  he  is  collector,  but  also  those  of 


204  OUTLINES  OP  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

all  vessels  which  depart  from  thence  to  foreign  countries. 
In  this  way  the  Government  obtains  a  knowledge  of  the 
amount  and  value  of  the  whole  exports  and  imports  of  the 
country.  He  must  also  give  clearances  to  all  vessels  when 
they  sail  from  his  port  for  foreign  ports  or  countries.  No 
vessel  can  lawfully  depart  without  such  clearance. 

5.  The  manifests  and  clearances  of  ships  and  vessels  are 
so  often  spoken  of  in  the  laws  relating  to  commerce,  navi- 
gation and  the  revenue,  that  it  may  be  interesting  and 
useful  to  those  not  familiar  with  these  matters,  to  give 
the  form  of  an  American  manifest  and  clearance.     These 
are  among  the  most  important  of  a  ship's  papers. 

A   SHIP'S    CLEARANCE. 

6.  This  document  is  couched  in  the  following  terms  : — 
"  District  of  ss.,  Port  of  ,  ss. 

"  These  are  to  certify,  to  all  whom  it  may  concern,  that 
A.  E.  master  or  commander  of  the  ship  (brig,  barque, 
schooner),  burthen  tons  or  thereabouts,  mounted 

with  guns»  navigated  with  men,  built, 

and  bound  for  ,  having  on  board  ,  hath  here  en- 

tered and  cleared  his  said  vessel  according  to  law. 

"  Given  under  our  hands  and  seals,  at  the  Custom  House 
of  ,  this  day  of  ,  one  thousand 

,  and  in  the  year  of  the  Independence 

of  the  United  States  of  America." 

This  is  signed  by  the  Collector,  and  by  the  naval  officer 
of  the  port,  when  the  commander  is  prepared  to  depart 
with  his  vessel  to  his  destined  port. 


CUSTOM   HOUSE   OFFICERS.  205 

A   SHIP'S    MANIFEST. 

This  is  a  document  of  very  different  character.  Its  prin- 
cipal object  is  to  show  of  what  her  cargo  consists,  in 
quantity,  kind  and  value.  The  form  of  a  manifest  is  as 
follows — 

"  Report  and  manifest  of  the  cargo  laden  on  board  of 
the  ,  whereof  is  master,  which  cargo  was 

taken  on  board  at  the  port  or  ports  of          ,  burthen 
tons,  built  at  ,  in  the  State  of  ,  and  owned  by 

,  merchants  at  ,  and  bound  for  ." 

This,  together  with  a  particular  description  of  the  marks 
and  numbers  of  every  bale,  box,  case,  barrel,  bundle  or  par- 
cel on  board  of  the  vessel,  is  the  manifest.  It  must  be 
given  to  the  collector  of  whatever  port  the  vessel  arrives 
at ;  and  the  master  of  her  must  swear  that  it  is  in  all  re- 
spects a  true  and  accurate  account  of  all  the  cargo  on 
board,  to  the  best  of  his  knowledge  and  belief. 

8.  The  Collector  of  the  port  can  then  compute  the  du- 
ties to  be  paid  upon  each  article,  and  when  these  are  paid, 
or  secured  to  be  paid,  he  gives  permits  to  land  the  cargo, 
and  to  deliver  the  goods  to  their  respective  owners.  Then 
come  in  the  duties  of  Weighers,  Gangers,  Measurers  and 
Inspectors  of  the  Customs,  after  permits  are  obtained  to 
land  the  goods.  If  they  are  such  as  require  to  be  weighed, 
gauged,  or  measured, these  officers  are  sent  to  do  it;  and 
the  Inspector  must  allow  nothing  to  leave  the  ship  until 
he  has  examined  the  marks  and  numbers,  to  see  if  they 
correspond  with  the  permit  and  the  manifest.  If  he  suspects 
that  there  is  an  attempt  to  defraud  the  Government,  by 
false  names  and  marks,  he  is  authorized  to  open  the  pack- 


206  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S    GOVERNMENT. 

age,  box,  ease,  cask,  or  whatever  contains  the  goods,  and 
to  examine  them.  Ill  this  way  smuggling  is  prevented, 
and  the  revenues  arising  from  duties  on  imported  goods 
secured. 

9.  The  compensation  of  Collectors  of  Customs  varies 
from  a  few  hundreds  to  many  thousands  of  dollars  per 
year.  It  depends  upon  the  amount  of  business  done  at  the 
port.  At  New  York,  Boston,  Philadelphia,  New  Orleans, 
Baltimore  and  San  Francisco,  the  compensation  is  enor- 
mous, and  should  be  reduced ;  for,  in  addition  to  their 
salaries  and  fees  for  services  rendered,  they  receive  a  part 
of  the  forfeitures  of  goods  smuggled  or  attempted  to  be 
smuggled  into  the  country. 

SURVEYORS. 

10  Next  to  the  Collector  in  rank  and  authority  among 
Custom  House  officers  is  the  Surveyor  of  the  Port.  He 
aids  the  Collector  in  collecting  the  revenue ;  but  his  duties 
are  of  a  different  character.  He  is  appointed  in  the  same 
manner  as  the  Collector,  and  for  four  years  j  but  may  be 
removed  by  the  President  at  his  pleasure.  His  compensa- 
tion, like  that  of  the  Collector,  depends  on  the  amount  of 
business  at  the  port. 

HIS  DUTIES. 

11.  He  must  superintend  and  direct  all  Inspectors, 
Weighers,  Measurers,  and  Gangers,  within  his  port,  and 
must  visit  all  vessels  arriving  therein,  and  report  th",  same 
to  the  Collector,  with  a  description  of  each,  of  her  nation 
ality,  cargo,  &c.,  &c.  Ifc  is  also  his  duty  to  examine  all 
goods  entered  for  the  benefit  of  drawback. 


CUSTOM   HOUSE    OFFICERS.  207 

THE   NAVAL    OFFICER. 

12.  The  Naval  Officer  is  another  of  the  principal  Cus- 
tom House  officers  employed  in  the  collection  of  the  reve- 
nue.    He  is  appointed  in  the  same  way  as  is  the  Collector 
and  the  Surveyor,  and  is  removable  in  the  same  mauiier. 
His  compensation,  also,  is  dependent  on  the  same  circum- 
stances.     His  duties,  to  some  extent,  are  the  same  as  the 
Collector's,  and  serve  as  a  check,  or  a  sort  of  re-examina- 
tion  of  his  work  for  the  sake  of  accuracy  and  correctness. 
Hence  it  is  his  duty  to  receive  copies  of  all  manifests  and 
entries,  and  to  compute  the  duties  on  all  goods  subject  to 
pay  duties.     He  must  keep  a  separate  record  thereof.    He 
must  countersign  all  permits,  clearances,   certificates,  de- 
bentures, and  other  documents  to  be  granted  by  the  Col- 
lector.    He  must  also  examine  the  Collector's  computation 
of  duties,  and  his  receipts,  bonds,  and  expenditures,  and 
certify  their  correctness,  if  found  right. 

COMMISSIONER   OF   CUSTOMS. 

13.  In  the  year  1849  a  new  bureau  was  created  by  act 
of  Congress  in  the  Treasury  Department,   the   head   of 
which  is  styled  "  the  Commissioner   of  Customs."      This 
was  done  to  increase  the  operative  power  of  the  depart- 
ment, and  to  relieve  the  First  Comptroller  of  the  Treasury, 
whose  duties  had  become  too  onerous  to  be  efficiently  per- 
formed by  one  man.      By  the  act  in  question,  all  the  du- 
ties and  powers  of  the  Fhst  Comptroller  of  the  Treasury, 
BO  far  as  they  related  to  receipts  from  customs,  rnd  to  the 
accounts  of  collectors  and  other  officers  of  customs,  were 
transferred  to  the  new  Commissioner  and  bureau   under 


208  OUTLINES  OF   U.   S.   GOVERNMENT. 

his  supervision.  Hence  it  became  his  duty  to  examine 
and  adjust  all  accounts  with  Custom  House  officers,  to 
prepare  forms  of  all  papers  to  be  used  in  the  collection  of 
the  revenue  from  customs,  and  to  direct  the  form  and 
manner  of  keeping  accounts  of  the  same  ;  to  bring  suits  for 
the  recovery  of  all  debts  due  from  revenue  officers,  and  to 
report  to  Congress  any  default  or  neglect  of  duty  on  their 
part.  This  affords  another  example  of  the  manner  in  which 
Congress  is  made  acquainted  with  the  conduct  of  Govern- 
ment officials,  and  the  state  of  things  in  every  department 
and  bureau.  The  Commissioner  of  Customs  is  appointed 
by  the  President  and  Senate,  holds  his  office  for  the  same 
time,  and  receives  the  same  compensation  as  the  First 
Comptroller  of  the  Treasury. 


THE   PUBLIC   LANDS.  209 


CHAPTER  XLIX. 
The  Public  Lands. 

1.  TH.B  whole  area  of  land  lying  within  the  boundaries 
of  the  United  States,  is,  according  to  published  official 
statements  3,002,013  square  miles,  or  1,921,288,320  acres. 
Before  the  establishment  of  the  present  Government,  and 
during  our  colonial  condition,  much  of  this  land  had  been 
sold  and  otherwise  disposed  of  by  the  English  Govern, 
ment,  and  had  become  the  property  of  individuals. 
Their  possessions  were  not  disturbed  by  the  United  States, 
or  by  any  of  the  State  Governments  after  the  Revolution, 
which  changed  the  whole  country  from  the  possession  of 
the  English,  to  that  of  the  American  Government ;  with  the 
exception  of  that  which  belonged  to  those  who  were  ene- 
mies to  the  United  States,  during  the  Revolution.  This 
was  confiscated  and  fell  back  into  the  possession  of  the 
United  States,  or  of  the  States  in  which  it  laid. 

2.  But  all  which  had  not  been  disposed  of  became  the 
property  of  the  Government,  excepting  such  portions  as 
belonged  to  the  Indians,— the  original  owners  of  the 
whole  of  America.  Thus  the  Government  became  a  great 
land-holder  from  its  very  outset.  From  this,  and  from 
what  follows,  it  will  be  seen  that  it  has  been  one  of  the 
greatest  land  dealers  in  the  world ;  for  in  addition  to  that 


210  OUTLINES   OF    U.    S.    GOVERNMENT. 

here  spoken  of  it  has  purchased  immense  tracts  from  which 
many  of  the  present  States  and  Territories  were  formed. 
The  Louisiana  purchase,  as  it  has  always  been  termer1, 
was  made  of  France  in  1803.  Out  of  it  the  States  of 
Louisiana,  Arkansas  and  Missouri  were  formed.  The 
sum  of  $15,000,000  was  paid  for  it.  Then  in  the  year 
1819,  the  United  States  by  treaty  purchased  Florida  of 
Spain.  In  1836,  Texas  seceded  from  Mexico,  and  after  a 
War  with  her  gained  her  independence,  and  in  1845  asked 
to  be  admitted  as  one  of  the  United  States.  This  propo- 
sition was  accepted,  and  she  was  admitted  accordingly. 
All  her  public  lands  came  into  the  possession  of  our  Gov- 
ernment. 

3.  Subsequently  to  this,  and  after  the  late  war  with 
Mexico,  we  purchased  of  her  all  the  northern  part  of  that 
country,  embracing  California,  New  Mexico  and  other  ex- 
tensive regions.      This  again  added  several  hundred  thou- 
sand square  miles  to  our  public  domain. 

To  all  these  must  be  added  the  immense  tracts  bought 
of  the  Indians.  And  to  all  of  which  must  be  added  the 
great  purchase  made  early  in  the  year  1867,  from  Russia, 
of  all  her  possessions  in  North  America,  for  $7,000,000  in 
gold.  This  increases  our  public  domain,  by  between  three 
and  four  hundred  thousand  square  miles. 

4.  But  the  Government  does  not  want  all  this  land.     It 
has  no  use  for  more  than  a  few  acres  in  certain  locations 
for  the  sites  of  public  buildings,  and  of  military  works. 

The  object  therefore  is  to  sell  it  to  those  who  want  it 
for  farms  and  other  purposes,  that  it  may  furnish  homes 
for  the  people,  be  made  productive,  and  thus  added  to  the 
wealth  of  the  nation.  To  accomplish  this  a  General  Land 


THE   PUBLIC    LANDS.  211 

Office  was  established  by  act  of  Congress,  in  1812,  at 
Washington.  This  office  was  at  first  attached  to,  or  was 
a  Bureau  of  the  Treasury  department,  but  in  1849  it  was 
attached  to  the  department  of  the  Interior.  The  head  of 
this  office  is  called 

COMMISSIONER   OF  THE   GENERAL  LAND   OFFICE. 

5.  He  is  appointed  by  the  President  and  Senate,  must 
take  the  usual  official  oath,  before  entering  on  his  duties, 
and  must  give  the  usual  official  bond.  He  keeps  the  seal 
of  his  office,  and  fixes  an  impression  of  it  upon  all  papers 
emanating  from  the  land  office.  He,  with  his  clerks  and 
assistants  from  the  Bureau,  keep  all  the  records  and  pa- 
pers pertaining  to  the  public  lands,  and  perform  all  duties 
relating  thereto.  He  receives  reports  from  surveyors, 
and  from  the  district  land  officers,  gives  them  their  in- 
structions, and  reports  to  the  President,  and  to  Congress 
when  required  to  do  so. 

He  issues  all  patents  for  lands  granted  by  the  United 
States,  and  sends  and  receives  by  mail  all  papers  and 
documents  relating  to  his  official  business  under  the  frank- 
ing privilege.  Every  patent  for  land  is  issued  in  the  name 
of  the  United  States,  is  signed  by  the  President  and  by 
the  Commissioner  of  the  Land  Office,  and  is  then  recorded 
in  books  kept  for  that  purpose. 

SURVEYORS  GENERAL  AND  DEPUTY  SURVEYORS. 

6.  When  it  is  deemed  necessary  and  expedient  to  bring 
the  lands  in  any  particular  State  or  section  of  the  country 
into  market,  a  surveyor  general  is  appointed  for  that 


212  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

State  or  section,  and  also  a  sufficient  number  of  deputy  or 
assistant  surveyors  to  perform  the  work ;  which  is  done 
under  the  direction  of  the  surveyor  general,  who  is  him- 
self directed  by  law  as  to  the  manner  of  procedure.  He 
is  appointed  for  four  years,  taking  the  usual  oath,  and 
gives  bonds  for  the  faithful  performance  of  his  duties. 

MODE    OF   SURVEYING   THE   PUBLIC   LANDS. 

7.  The  law  directs  how  the  lands  shall  be  surveyed  and 
mapped.     Where  it  is  practicable,  they  are  laid  out  into 
square  miles,  each  of  which  contains  640  acres,  and  is 
called  a  section.  • 

These  sections  are  then  sub-divided  into  halves,  quar- 
ters, and  eighths  of  sections;  that  is,  into  lots  of  320,  160 
and  80  acres.  The  boundary  lines  are  all  run  north  and 
south,  and  east  and  west.  36  of  these  sections,  which 
make  a  plat  of  6  miles  square,  are  put  into  a  township. 
These  townships  are  designated  by  numbers,  but  when  in- 
habited are  named  by  the  inhabitants  as  their  fancy  dicw 
tates. 

SALE  OF   THE   PUBLIC   LANDS. 

8.  After  the  lands  have  been  surveyed  and  properly 
mapped  into  townships  and   sections,   they  are  brought 
into  market,  and  offered  for  sale,  in  such  quantities  as  are 
wanted  by  the  purchaser ;  from  40  acres, — one  sixteenth 
of  a  section, — up  to  a  whole  section  ;  or  as  many  sections 
as  the  buyer  pleases  to  take. 

DISTRICT   LAND    OFFICES. 

9.  District  land  offices  for  the  sale  of  lands  are  cstab- 


THE   PUBLIC   LANDS.  213 

lished  for  this  purpose  at  as  many  places  in  the  State  or 
Territory  where  the  lands  are  situated,  as  is  deemed  ne- 
cessary, for  the  convenience  of  purchasers.  Here  are  kept 
maps  of  all  the  lands  lying  in  the  district,  and  buyers  may 
make  their  selections  both  of  quantity  and  location  as 
suits  them.  Here  they  will  find 

A    REGISTER   OF   THE    LAND   OFFICE,    AND   A  RECEIVER     OF 
PUBLIC    MONIES   FOR   LANDS. 

10.  The  first  named  officer  will  register  the  application 
made  for  land  in  a  book  kept  for  that  purpose,    and  the 
second  will  receive  the  money  paid  for  it.     These  officers 
are  appointed  by  the  President  and  Senate,  and  report 
their  proceedings  to  the  General  Land  office    at  Washing- 
ton.    The  receiver  transmits  all  monies  received  by  him, 
to  the  United  States  Treasury,  once  in  a  month  or  once  in 
three  months,  as  directed. 

SCHOOL   LANDS. 

11.  As  before  stated,  the  public  lands  are  surveyed  into 
sections  of  one  mile  square,  and  36  of  these  sections  make 
a  township.      For  the  purpose  of  encouraging  education, 
Congress  has  enacted  that   section  number  16  in  every 
township,  shall  not  be  sold,  but  reserved  for  the  township, 
to  be  applied  to  the  support  of  common  schools  in  that 
town.      By  this  measure,  the  Government  appropriated 
one  thirty-sixth  part  of  its  lands  to  aid  the  work  of  edu- 
cating the  children  in  the  new  States.     And  in  addition  to 
this,  it  has  made  other  munificent  donations  of  land  for 
the  establishment  and  support  of  colleges  and  other  insti- 
tutions of  learning. 


214  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

12.  In  addition  to  all  this  the  United  States  have  do- 
nated large  tracts  of  land  to  the  several  States  in  which 
it  lay,  to  aid   them  in  building  their   State  houses,  &c. 
Large  quantities  of  land  have  also  been  given  to  aid  the 
construction  of  railroads. 

HOMESTEADS. 

13.  The  Government  has  always  sold  its  lands  at  a  very 
low  price,  preferring  to   give   the   people   cheap   farms, 
rather  than  to  raise  more  revenue  from  this  source. 

But  in  1862,  Congress  passed  an  act  called  "  the  Home- 
stead Law,"  the  object  of  which  was  to  cheapen  the  pub- 
lic lands,  to  a  mere  nominal  price,  to  heads  of  families, 
male  or  female,  or  to  persons  21  years  of  age  or  over,  or 
to  persons  who  had  served  in  the  army  or  navy  of  the 
United  States,  whether  21  years  old  or  not.  By  the  pro-, 
visions  of  this  act,  such  persons  are  allowed,  for  the  trifling 
sums  of  ten  dollars,  to  enter  upon  and  claim  160  acres  of 
land,  provided  the  claimant  swears  that  the  land  is  applied 
for,  for  his  or  her  own  use,  and  for  settlement  and  cultiva- 
tion. But  no  patent  (deed)  is  to  be  given,  until  the  ap- 
plicant has  actually  settled  upon,  and  cultivated  the  land, 
for  the  space  of  five  years.  Such  applicant  must  also  make 
affidavit  that  he  has  never  borne  arms  against  the  United 
States. 

By  this  liberal  policy,  persons  of  very  limited  means 
may  provide  themselves  with  comfoi'table  homes  for  life  ; 
and  the  unoccupied  lands  will  be  settled  and  occupied  fast- 
er than  if  the  old  price  of  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents 
per  acre  had  been  demanded.  The  revenue  from  the  sale 


THE    PUBLIC    LANDS.  215 

of  lands  will  of  course  be  less,  but  the  wealth  of  the  coun- 
try will  undoubtedly  be  increased  by  the  measure. 

MINERAL   LANDS. 

H.  Exceedingly  rich,  and  valuable  mines  of  Gold, 
Silver,  Copper,  Lead,  and  other  minerals  have  been 
found  upon  the  public  lands.  That  the'benefits  of  min- 
ing them  might  be  extended  to  the  many  instead  of 
being  monopolized  by  a  few,  a  different  rule  for  selling 
them  has  been  made.  After  they  have  been  surveyed, 
mapped  and  described,  they,  like  other  lands  are 
offered  for  sale,  but  in  quantities  of  not  more  than  40 
acres.  These  are  generally  sold  at  auction,  but  no  bid 
less  than  five  dollars  per  acre  will  be  received.  If  not 
sold  at  public  sale,  they  are  then  subject  to  private  sale 
at  that  price. 

REVENUE    FR03I  LANDS. 

15.  Any  one  can  easily  comprehend  what  almost  bound- 
less wealth  there  is  in  these  public  lands  ;   and  although 
the  Government  has  not  realized  as  much  revenue  from 
them  as  it  might  have  done,  had  it  held  them  at  higher 
prices,   yet    to  the  purchasers — the  people — they  are 
worth  ten  times  more  than  the  Government  received 
for  them.   Yet  notwithstanding  the  low  prices,  they  have 
yielded  and  will  long  continue  to  yield,  a  considerable 
part  of  the  revenues  of  the  country. 

LEGISLATION    RELATIVE  TO   THE   PUBLIC   LANDS. 

16.  This  vast  estate  which  the  people  of  the  United 


216  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

States  "own  in  their  public  lands,  is  constantly  changing 
its  character  from  that  of  public  to  that  of  private 
property  ;  for  the  Government  is  disposing  of  more  or 
less  of  it  every  year  to  individuals.  By  this  process  the 
public  domain  is  diminishing,  but  private  property  is  as 
constantly  increasing.  The  land  only  changes  owners 
and  is  converted  "from  an  unproductive  to  a  productive 
state,  and  this  augments  the  wealth  of  the  nation. 

17.  It  is  easy  to  understand  that  it  has  required  a 
great  amount  of  care,  labor  and  legislation  to  manage 
and  take  care  of  so  great  an  estate.  Surveys,  maps  and 
records  of  it,  must  be  made  and  preserved  at  Washing- 
ton ;  and  Congress  has  found  it  necessary  at  almost,  if 
not  at  every  session,  to  pass  acts  in  relation  to  it.  All 
the  laws  enacted  relative  to  the  public  lands  would,  if 
collected  into  one  book,  make  a  ponderous  volume. 


BOUNTY    LAND    AND  LAND  WARRANTS.        217 


CHAPTER  L. 
Bounty  Land  and  Land   Warrants. 

1.  BOUNTY  lands  are  lands  given  by  the  Government  to 
the   officers   and  men  who  have   served   their    country, 
either  in  the  army  or  navy.      Everybody  knows  that   the 
pay  of  soldiers  in  the  army,  and  seamen  in  the  navy,  is 
small.     For  this  reason  our  government  has  donated  a 
certain  quantity  of  land  to  each  officer  and  private,   as  a 
further  compensation  for  their  services.      The   quantity 
given  was  made  to  depend  on  the  length  of  time  spent  in 
the  service.     Those   who  engaged  to  serve  a  year,  and 
actually  served  nine  months,  receive  160  acres.     Those 
who  engaged  to  serve  six  months,  and  actually   served 
four  months,  received  80  acres :  and  those  who  served  one 
month  received  40  acres.     No  distinction  was  made  be- 
tween officers  and  privates,  because  officers  receive  higher 
wages  than  privates. 

2.  The  United  States  own  such  vast  quantities  of  land 
that  they  could  in  this  way  compensate  the  soldiers  better, 
— with  a  less  burden  of  taxation  upon  the  people, — than 
other  nations.      Immense  quantities  of  the  pubiic   lands 
have  been  disposed  of  in  this  way,  and  many  a  soldier  has 
thus  been  furnished  with  a  home,  and  with  a  competence 
for  life.     In  case  of  his   death  in  battle,  or  before  he  re- 


218  OUTLINES  OP  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

oeived  his  land,  it  was  given  to  his  widow  or  children,  if 
he  had  any. 

Every  one  entitled  to  land,  for  military  or  naval  servi- 
ces, receives  from  the  Department  of  the  Interior  a  certifi- 
cate, or  Land  Warrant,  as  it  is  more  specifically  termed, 
and  this  entitles  him  to  go  anywhere  upon  the  public 
lands  which  have  been  surveyed  and  brought  into  market, 
and  not  otherwise  disposed  of, — and  select  the  quantity 
named  in  his  warrant,  which  is  often  denominated  a  mili- 
tary Land  Warrant.  Upon  the  return  of  this  certificate 
or  warrant  to  the  land  office,  with  proof  of  the  location  of 
the  land,  the  government  gives  the  owner  a  patent,  or 
government  deed  of  it,  which  is  the  best  title  to  land  that 
a  man  can  have. 

3.  Land  warrants  are  often  bought  and  sold  like  stocks, 
for  whoever  lawfully  holds  the  warrant,  whether  for  ser- 
vices or  by  purchase,  is  entitled  to  the  land. 

So  careful  has  the  government  been  to  secure  the  bene- 
fits of  this  provision  to  those  who  have  served  their  coun- 
try in  time  of  war,  that  it  does  not  allow  land  granted  for 
military  services,  to  bo  soid  for  the  debts  of  the  warrantee 
before  he  has  received  his  patent. 


DUTIES   AND    TARIFFS.  219 


CHAPTER  LI. 

Duties  and  Tariffs. 

1.  FEW,  if  any,  questions  or  subjects  ever  came  before 
the  National   Legislature,  which  have   required  more 
legislation,  caused  more  debate,  or  brought  out  a  greater 
diversity  of  opinion,  than  those  relating   to  duties  and 
tariffs. 

Duties  are  the  taxes  which  the  Government  imposes 
upon  goods  imported  from  foreign  countries  into  our 
own.  This  is  not  peculiar  to  our  government,  for  all 
others  do  the  same  thing. 

In  ours,  two  different  objects  have  been  sought  by  the 
imposition  of  duties,  both  of  which  are  clearly  stated 
in  the  preamble  to  the  first  act  ever  passed  by  Con- 
gress (July  4th,  1T89),  on  this  subject.  They  are  in 
these  words — "  Whereas  it  is  necessary  for  the  support 
of  government,  for  the  discharge  of  the  debts  of  the 
United  States,  and  the  encouragement  and  protection  of 
manufactures,  that  duties  be  laid  on  goods,  wares  and 
merchandise  imported." 

First,  the  support  of  government. 

Second,  protection  to  our  own  manufactures. 

2.  A   government   is   an   expensive   institution,  and 
requires   a  great  deal  of  money  to  carry  it  on.     This 
must  be  had  from  some  som-ce.    To  raise  it  by  the  im- 


220  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

position  of  taxes,  or  duties  on  merchandise  imported 
from  foreign  countries,  lias  been  considered  the  cheapest 
mode  of  collecting  it,  and  the  least  burdensome  upon 
the  people.  Hence  by  far  the  greatest  part  of  the 
revenue  of  the  United  States  has  been  raised  in  this 
way. — Then  comes  the  second  object ;  which  is  to  raise 
the  price  of  imported  articles  by  just  as  much  as  the 
duty  on  them  amounts  to;  thus  enabling  our  o\vn 
manufacturers  to  compete  with  those  of  foreign  coun- 
tries. It  has  been  thought  to  be  a  good  policy  to  make 
our  own  goods  as  far  as  we  can,  and  thus  to  render 
ourselves  more  independent  of  foreign  countries.  But 
on  this  question  there  has  been  two  opinions,  which 
have  been  BO  strong  as  to  form  the  principal  difference 
between  different  political  parties ;  one  contending  that 
the  Tariff  (rate  of  duties)  should  be  so  low,  that  only 
money  enough  should  be  raised  from  duties  to  support 
the  Government ;  or,  in  other  words,  that  the  duties  on 
imports  should  be  so  graduated  as  to  bring  the  greatest 
amount  into  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States,  without 
regard  to  the  question  of  protection  to  home  manufac- 
tures ;  or,  that  the  incidental  protection  that  a  low 
tariff  would  give  was  sufficient. 

3.  On  the  other  side,  it  is  contended  that  our  best 
policy  is,  and  that  our  economical  interests  would  be 
best  promoted  by.  imposing  so  high  a  duty  on  imported 
goods,  as  to  prevent  to  some  extent  their  importation, 
and  thus  to  build  lip  American  manufactures  Much 
has  been  said,  and  much  has  been  written  on  both  sides 
of  this  question,  both  in  and  out  of  Congress,  and  the 
policy  of  the  Government  is  unsettled  to  this  day,  and 


DUTIES   AND    TARIFFS.  221 

hence  the  great  amount  of  legislation  on  this  subject. 
Sometimes  the  high  tariff  party,  having  a  majority  in 
Congress  would  pass  an  act,  fixing  a  high  rate  of  duties  ; 
and  when  the  low  tariff  party  gained  the  ascendency, 
they  would  change  the  tariff  and  fix  the  duties  at  a 
lower  rate.  For  the  last  thirty  years  the  Government 
has  been  vibrating  between  these  two  systems,  very 
much  to  the  detriment  of  our  prosperity,  and  the 
question  still  remains  unsettled,  and  will  probably  be 
submitted  to  as  many  changes  in  the  future  as  it  has 
been  in  the  past. 

4.  The  collection  of  duties  on  imports,  is  a  very  large 
branch  of  the  business  of  the  Government,  requiring  a 
great  many  Custom  Houses  and  Custom  House  officers. 
There  are  probably  two  hundred  of  the  former,  in  all 
the  States ;  yet  most  of  the  revenue  is  collected  at  a  few 
of  the  largest  seaport  cities,  such  as  New  York,  Phila- 
delphia,  Boston,    Baltimore,  New  Orleans    and    San 
Francisco.     Every  seaport  where  vessels   from  foreign 
countries  are  allowed  to  come  in  and  discharge  their 
cargoes,  and  pay  the  duties  thereon,  is  called  a  pwt  of 
Entry.     After  the  vessel  has  been  reported  to  the  Col- 
lector of  the  port,  and  her  duties  paid,  or  secured  to  be 
paid,  and  the  owners  of  the  goods  desire  them  delivered 
at  some  other  place,  where   there  is  no  Custom  House, 
that  privilege  is  granted,  and  the  place  where  the  goods 
are  finally  discharged  is  called  a  "  port  of  delivery." 

5.  Among  the  poAvers  which  the   Constitution  confers 
upon  Congress,  is   that  of  laying  duties   on   goods  im- 
ported.     Congress  alone  has  this  power.      No  State  can 


222  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

exercise  it.  It  also  declares  that  all  duties  shall  be  equal 
in  all  the  States. 

Not  only  has  the  tariff  (which  means  the  rate  of  duties 
charged)  been  a  source  of  much  debate  and  legislation, 
but  also  the  mode  of  imposing  these  taxes.  Two  modes 
have  been  advocated.  Sometimes  one  and  sometimes 
another  has  been  adopted  and  practiced.  The  system  of 
ad  valorem  duties  is  one,  and  that  of  specific  duties  is  the 
other.  Ad  valorem  duties  are  laid  upon  the  cost  of  the 
article  in  the  country  whence  it  was  brought.  Hence 
when  goods  were  low,  the  duties  would  be  correspond- 
ingly low,  and«  vice  versa  when  high.  But  this  plan  has 
been  subject  to  great  objections,  for  importers  have  been 
often  known  to  have  false  invoices  made  out,  wherein 
their  goods  were  marked  much  below  their  real  cost,  and 
by  this  means  the  Government  is  defrauded  and  honest 
dealers  injured.  To  avoid  this  the  other  mode  has  been 
resorted  to,  viz : 

"  Specific  duties,"  in  which  case  the  tax  is  laid  upon  the 
article  itself — that  is,  the  duty  is  so  much  per  pound, 
yard,  gallon,  &c.,  without  regard  to  what  was  the  price 
originally  paid  for  it. 

6.  There  are  a  great  number  of  imported  articles,  upon 
which  there    is  no  duty.    These  are  called  free  goods. 
But   the   laws   are   so   often  changed  that  what  are  free 
goods  now  may  be  taxed  at  the  next  session  of  Congress  , 
and  goods  paying  duties  this  year  may  be  put  on  the  free 
list  next. 

DRAWBACKS. 

7.  When  the  duties  on  foreign  goods  have  been  paid,  and 
they  are  afterwards  exported,  the  duties  which  have  been 
paid  are  refunded  to  their  owner.     The  money  thus  paid 


DUTIES   AND    TARIFFS.  223 

"back  is  called  a  drawback.  All  imported  goods  are  enti- 
tled to  drawback,  whenever  they  are  taken  out  of  the 
United  States. 

8.  In  this  connection,  we  see  no  impropriety  in  noticing 
another  thing,  though  of  an  exactly  opposite  charactei  to 
•rluties ;  and  that  is, — 

BOUNTIES  ON  EXPORTED  GOODS. 

These  take  money  out  of  instead  of  putting  it  in  the  treasury 
yet  the  Government  in  a  few  cases  has  allowed  boun- 
ties upon  exported  articles.  Fish  taken  by  American  ves- 
sels, refined  sugar,  and  distilled  spirits,  made  from  im- 
ported sugar  and  molasses,  are  examples.  This  was  done 
to  encourage  domestic  industry  and  enterprise. 


OUTLINES   OF   U.    S.    GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER    LIT. 
Tonnage. 

IN  the  last  chapter  we  treated  of  duties  and  tariffs,  but 
as  they  related  to  imported  goods.  In  this  we  will 
speak  of  another  kind  of  duties,  differing  very  material  ly 
from  the  first.  The  first  kind  is  imposed  only  upon  for- 
eign productions,  but  the  latter  upon  home-made  as  well 
as  foreign ;  and  this  is  the  duty  which  the  Government 
lays  upon  the  tonnage  of  ships  and  other  vessels. 

Tonnage  is  the  capacity  of  a  ship  or  any  other  vessel, 
for  carrying  weight,  which  is  always  reckoned  by  the  ton  ; 
and  is  ascertained  by  measuring  the  length,  breadth  and 
depth  of  the  vessel.  This  has  been  deemed  a  proper  sub- 
ject of  taxation,  for  the  purpose  of  adding  to  the  revenue 
of  the  country. 

At  a  very  early  period  (1793),  in  our  history  these  du- 
ties were  imposed,  both  on  our  own,  and  on  foreign  ves- 
sels ;  though  heavier  duties  are  laid  on  foreign,  than  upon 
American  vessels.  In  the  first  act  passed  on  this  subject, 
in  179D,  this  duty  on  our  own,  was  only  six  cents  per  ton, 
while  that  on  foreign  bottoms  was  fifty  cents. 

Congress  alone  has  the  power  to  impose  these  duties. 
No  State  can  do  it.  In  1862,  such  were  the  wants  of  the 
treasury,  that  the  tonnage  duties  both  on  American  and 
foreign  vessels  were  increased  ten  cents  per  ton.  This 
tax  is  collected  only  once  in  a  year,  by  the  collector  of  the 
port,  where  the  vessel  happens  to  be, 


REVENUE   CUTTERS.  225 


CHAPTER  LIII. 
Revenue  Cutters. 

1.  KEVEXUE  Cutters,  are  small  sized  vessels  belonging  to 
the  Government,  and  are  used  for  the  purpose  of  aiding 
revenue  officers  in  the   collection  of  duties  on  imported 
goods  ;  or,  in  other  words,  to  prevent  smuggling.     These 
vessels  are  built  and  used  exclusively  for  this  purpose,  and 
are  not  reckoned  as  any  part  of  the  navy,  though  officered 
and  manned  much  in  the  same  manner.  The  commissioned 
officers  are  appointed  by  the  President  and  Senate. 

The  duties  assigned  to  revenue  cutters,  are  to  sail  along 
the  coast  and  look  after  ships  and  other  vessels,  going  into 
any  of  the  ports  of  the  United  States  ;  to  board  them,  and 
examine  their  papers,  that  is,  if  going  into  an  American 
port,  and  within  four  leagues  of  the  coast ;  to  examine  the 
manifests  of  the  cargo,  and  every  part  of  the  vessel ;  to 
put  proper  fastenings  upon  the  hatches  and  other  commu- 
nications with  the  hold  ;  and  to  place  a  man  or  men  on 
boai-d  who  must  remain  with  her  until  her  arrival  into  port ; 
when  she  is  delivered  over  to  the  charge  of  the  proper 
Custom  House  officer. 

2.  The  officers  of  revenue  cutters  are  deemed  officers  of 
the  customs,  and  hence  are   subject  to  the  orders  of  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  and  the  collectors  and  other 
revenue  officers,  at  the  ports  where  employed.      But  if  so 


226  OUTLINES  OF  U-  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

directed  by  the  President,  in  an  emergency  they  may  co- 
operate with  the  navy ;  and  in  such  cases  if  the  officers  or 
men  arc  wounded  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties  their 
names  may  be  placed  on  the  navy  pension  list,  and  they 
will  be  entitled  to  the  same  rate  of  pensions  as  other 
officers  and  seamen  of  the  United  States  navy. 

3.  Revenue  Cutters  are  distinguished  from  other  vessels 
by  the  pendant  and  ensign  they  carry.      These  have  such 
marks  upon  them  as  the  President  shall  direct ;  and  in 
case  any  ship  or  other  vessel  liable  to   seizure,  shall  not 
bring  to,  upon  request  of  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
cutter,  he  is  authorized  to  fire  into  such  vessel,  after  ex- 
hibiting his  pendant  and  ensign,  in  order  to  compel  her 
to  obey  his  orders,  and  allow  herself  to  be  boarded  and 
examined.      This  he  may  do  without  incurring  responsi- 
bility for  life  or  property,  that  may  be  destroyed  by  the 
act. 

4.  One  of  the  objects  designed  to  be  accomplished  by 
the  use  of  revenue  cutters,  and   the  duties  assigned  to 
them,  is,  to  pi-event  vessels  from  running  goods    ashore 
after  having  neared  the  coast;  and  thus  to  escape  pay- 
ment of  the  duties.     This  could  be  done  in  the  night  or  in 
foggy  weather,  without  detection,  but  for  the  vigilance  of 
these  vessels,  which  are   well  armed   and  well  manned. 
Formerly  they  were  all  sailing  vessels,  but  steamers  aro 
now  used  also. 

5.  The  commander  of  a  revenue   cutter,   must   report 
weekly  to  the  collector  of  the  port,  where  he  is  stationed, 
the  transactions  of  the  cutter,  with  the  names  and  descrip- 
tion of  all  the  vessels  he  has  boarded ;  specifying  whether 
they  are  American  or  foreign  vessels ;  whether  loaded  or 
ia  ballast,  together  with  all  such  information  as  it  may  bj 
necessary  for  the  revenue  officers  of  the  port  to  possess. 


THE  MINT.  227 


CHAPTER  LIV. 
The  Mint. 

1.  THE  United  States  Mint,  located  at  Philadelphia,  is 
one  of  the  most  important  establishments  of  the  Govern- 
ment. An  act  of  Congress,  passed  in  1792,  was  the  first 
step  towards  its  creation.  Its  design  was,  and  its  princi- 
pal business  has  been,  to  coin  the  precious  metals  into 
money.  It  has  been  for  more  than  eighteen  hundred 
years  the  usage  of  civilized  governments  to  coin  their  own 
money.  Ours,  at  a  very  early  period  of  its  existence,  be- 
gan to  do  the  same  thing,  and  will  probably  continue  to 
do  it  as  long  as  it  shall  exist.  Before  the  art  of  coining 
was  knownj  the  precious  metals  were  used  as  a  standard 
of  value,  but  they  passed  from  one  to  another  by  weight. 
The  plan  of  cutting  them  into  email  pieces,  and  then 
stamping  their  value  upon  them,  by  which  their  worth 
could  be  known  as  soon  as  seen,  was  an  improvement 
Upon  the  former  mode.  This  process  is  denominated  coin- 
ing. It  has  of  late  been  brought  so  near  perfection  that 
our  pieces  of  money  are  fine  specimens  of  art. 

2.  This  establishment,  like  all  others  belonging  to  the 
Government,  is  under  the  direction  of  officers  chosen  for 
that  purpose. 


228  OUTLINES   OF  U.    S.   GOVERNMENT. 

They  are  a  Director, 

A  Treasurer, 

An  Assayer, 

A  Meltcr  and  Refiner, 

A  Chief  Coiner,  and 

An  Engraver. 

All  of  them  are  appointed  by  the  President  and  Senate. 
The  Director  appoints  assistants  and  clerks. 

All  must  give  bonds  for  the  faithful  performance  of 
their  respective  duties,  upon  which  they  enter  \inder  oath. 
The  duties  of  these  different  officers  may  almost  be  known 
by  the  names  they  bear.  The  Director  is  the  head  of  the 
institution,  and  the  others  act  under  his  general  direction, 
each  having  his  appropriate  duties  to  perform.  In  the 
month  of  January  of  each  year  the  Director  must  make  a 
report  to  the  President  of  the  operations  of  the  Mint  and 
its  branches  for  the  preceding  year. 

3.  Any  person  may  take  gold  or  silver  bullion  or  ores 
to  the  Mint  and  receive  it  back  in  coin  for  a  very  trifling 
expense.     Before  it  is  coined,  after  its  value  has  been  de- 
termined by  the  Assayer,  the  Director  will  give  a  certifi- 
cate for  it,  which  is  of  the  same  value  as  the  bullion  de- 
posited. 

4.  We  have  stated  that  the  principal  business  at  the 
Mint  is  the  conversion  of  the  precious  metals  into  coin  of 
money.     But  this  is  not  its  exclusive  business.      Another 
part  is  to  melt  and  assay  these  metals,  and  to  run   them 
into  ingots  or  bars  either  of  pure  or  standard  gold  and  sil- 
ver, according  to  the  wish  of  its  owner.     In  our  article  on 
the  Assay  Office  at  the  City  of  Xew  York  we  have  ex- 
plained this  process  more  fully  than  we  need  to  do  here. 


THE   MINT.  229 

5.  Until  1835,  the  Mint  at  Philadelphia  was  the  only 
establishment  in  the  United  States  for  coming  money. 
But  in  that  year  a  law  was  passed  establishing  Branch 
Mints  at  New  Orleans,  in  Louisiana;  at  Charlotte,  in  North 
Carolina;  and  at  Dahlonega,  in  Georgia.  In  1852  another 
Branch  was  established  in  California ;  in  1862  another  at 
Denver,  in  Colorado  Territory;  and  in  1863  another  at 
Carson  City,  in  Nevada  Territory, — since  made  a  State; 
in  1864,  another  at  San  Francisco,  in  California,  and  an- 
other at  Dales  City,  in  Oregon.  Except  the  one  in  Cali- 
fornia, but  little  has  ever  been  done  at  these  branches. 
Political  reasons  in  some  cases  had  more  to  do  with  their 
establishment  than  any  necessity  for  them.  We  need  not 
take  time  to  name  these  officials,  or  to  explain  their  oper- 
ations. They  are  all  similar  to  the  principal  one  at  Phila- 
delphia ;  for  the  laws  relating  to  that  are  made  to  apply  to 
these  branches. 

G.  The  Constitution  gives  Congress  the  exclusive  right 
to  coin  money,  and  prohibits  all  the  States  from  doing  it. 
This  Congress  does  by  the  laws  it  passes  in  relation 
to  the  subject,  and  the  various  officers  and  workmen  em- 
ployed to  execute  the  work  are  only  the  agents  of  Con- 
gress. 

The  various  coins  which  Congress  has  from  time  to 
time  ordered  to  be  made  are  of  the  following  names  and 
value. 

Gold.         Value.         Silver.        Value.  Copper. 

Ear?le,         $10  00         Dollar,         $1  00         One  cent 
Half-Eagle,    5  00         Half-Dollar,      50         TAVO  cents. 
Quar.  Eag.,    250         Quar.  Dol.,       25         Three  cents,  & 
Doub.  Eag.,  20  00         Dimes,  10        formerly  1-2  c. 

Three  Dols.,  3  00         Half  Dimes,       5         but   these  are 
One  Dollar,    1  00        Three  ct.  pieces  3         now  discont'd. 


230  OUTLINES  OP  U.  S  GOVERNMENT. 

7.  Our  coins  are  not  made  of  pure  gold  and  pure  silver, 
but  of  standard  gold  and  silver ;  that  is,  gold  or  silver 
alloyed  or  mixed  with  some  baser  or  less  valuable  metal. 
By  the  law  of  1837,  standai-d  gold  and  silver  were  de- 
clared to  be,  nine  hundred  parts  of  pure  metal,  and  one 
hundred  parts  alloy, — equal  to  one  tenth  alloy.  Gold 
coins  are  alloyed  with  silver  and  copper, — equal  parts  of 
each.  Silver  coins  are  alloyed  with  copper  alone.  Gold 
is  declared  to  be  worth  fifteen  times  as  much  as  silver  by 
weight. 

In  addition  to  our  own  coins,  Congress  has  from  time  to 
time  passed  laws  declaring  the  value  of  foreign  coins,  and 
making  them  a  legal  tender.  But  these  laws  were  all  re- 
pealed by  the  act  of  1857,  and  it  was  made  the  duty  of  the 
Director  of  the  Mint  to  have  them  assayed,  and  to  deter- 
mine their  weight,  fineness  and  value ;  for  they  ai-e  still 
used  by  banks  and  merchants,  and  pass  at  the  value,  as 
determined  by  the  Mint. 

The  Mint  up  to  1861,  had  coined  in  gold,  silver,  and 
copper  coin,  800,662,475  pieces,  worth  $799,923,362. 


ASSAY   OFFICE.  231 


CHAPTER  LV. 
Assay  Office. 

1.  IN  1853,  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  was  authorized 
to  establish  an  office  in  the  city  of  New  York,  for  the  re- 
ceipt, melting,  refining  and  assaying   of  gold  and  silver 
bullion  and  foreign  coin,  and  for  casting  the  same  into 
bars,   ingots  or  disks.     The   Assistant-Treasurer   of  the 
United  States,  in  New  York,  is  Treasurer  of  said  Assay 
Office,  and  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  appoints  such 
other  clerks,  assistants  and  workmen  as  shall  be  necessary 
for  the  management  of  its  business. 

2.  Persons  having  gold  or  silver  bullion  ores  or  foreign 
coin,  may  deposit  them  in  this  office,  and  here  it  will  be 
refined  and  assayed  (at  no  more  cost  than  the  actual  ex- 
penses of  doing  the  work)  and  its  value  ascertained,  and 
the  owner  will  be  repaid  therefor,  in  coins  of  the  same  value 
and  metal  as  that   deposited.     It  is  not  coined  in  this 
office,  but  cast  into  bars,  ingots  or  disks, — either  of  pure 
metal  or  of  standard  fineness,  as  the  owner  may  prefer, — the 
true  weight  and  value  of  which  are  stamped  thereon ;  and 
the  owner  may  either  take  them  in  payment  for  his  bullion 
or  foreign  coin,  or  it  will  be  coined  for  him  at  the  United 
States  Mint,  if  he  wishes.     The  bars  spoken  of  are  often 
kept   in  that  form,  and  are   used  as  coin  among  banks, 
brokers  and  merchants,  who  receive  and  pay  large  amounts 


232  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

of  the  precious  metals.  AVith  them  it  passes  as  coin,  for, 
as  stated,  its  exact  weight  and  value  are  stamped  upon  it. 
3.  This  establishment  was  located  at  New  York,  more 
for  the  convenience  of  thousands  who  do  business  there 
than  for  the  necessity  of  such  an  institution  ;  for  at  the 
Mint  at  Philadelphia,  there  is  a  department  for  doing  the 
same  work  as  is  done  here.  But  at  New  York,  the  great 
emporium  of  America,  there  is  a  larger  amount  of  foreign 
coin  than  in  any  other  place,  and  it  is  often  advantageous 
to  its  owners,  to  have  it  converted  into  American  coin, 
that  it  may  be  used  with  greater  facility.  Although  many 
foreign  coins  do  circulate  in  this  country,  but  few  know 
their  value.  Consequently,  they  do  not  pass  so  readily ; 
and  for  this  reason  they  are  melted  and  run  into  bars  of 
known  value,  or  re-coined  into  American  money. 


NATIONAL    BANKS.  233 


CHAPTER  LVI. 

NATIONAL    BANKS. 

1.  THE  Banking  system  established  by  an  act  of 
Congress  in  1863,  has  brought  a  great  number  of  banks 
into  existence ;  and  upon  a  plan  so  different  from  any 
heretofore  in  use,  that  it  seems  germane  to  our  subject 
to  notice  it. 

If  the  "  National  Banks  " — for  so  they  are  called, 
are  not  institutions  of  the  Government,  they  are  insti- 
tutions which  exist  by  the  authority  of  the  Government. 
It  legalizes  their  existence  and  to  some  extent  controls 
their  actions.  By  the  act  referred  to,  any  number  of 
persons  not  less  than  five,  may  associate  themselves  to- 
gether for  the  purpose  of  banking,  by  compliance  with 
the  following  conditions. 

2  First;  They  must  under  their  hands  and  seals, 
make  a  certificate,  which  shall  specify 

I.  The  name  assumed  by  such  association. 

II.  The  place  where  its  business  is  to  be  conducted. 

III.  The  amount  of  its  capital  stock  (which  can  not 
be  less  than  $50,000)  and  the  number  of  its  shares. 

IV.  The  names  of  its  shareholders,  and  the  number 
of  shares  held  by  each. 

V.  The  time  when  such  association  shall  commence 
business. 


234  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

VI.  A  declaration  that  said  certificate  is  made  to 
enable  such  persons  to  avail  themselves  of  the  advanta- 
ges of  this  act. 

o.  This  certificate  must  be  properly  acknowledged 
before  some  competent  person,  and  must  be  sent  to  the 
Comptroller  of  the  Currency  in  the  Treasury  depart- 
ment, to  be  recorded  and  kept  by  him.  "When  this, 
and  all  other  acts  which  the  law  requires,  has  been 
done  by  the  association,  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency 
gives  them  a  certificate  under  his  hand  and  official  seal, 
to  that  effect,  and  that  they  are  authorized  to  com- 
mence business.  This  constitutes  the  association  a 
corporation.  They  have  the  right  to  make  and  use  a 
common  seal,  and  have  all  the  rights,  and  are  liable  to  all 
the  responsibilities  of  ordinary  legalized  corporations ; 
and  may  exist — not  to  exceed  twenty  years — from  the 
passage  of  this  act.  Every  shareholder  is  made  person- 
ally liable  for  the  debts  of  the  association  or  bank,  to 
the  amount  of  the  par  value  of  his  stock. 

4.  In  order  to  secure  the  holders  of  bills  issued  by 
these  banks,  they  must  deposit  with  the  Treasurer  of 
the  United  States,  United  States  Bonds,  bearing  interest 
to  an  amount  not  less  than  one-third  of  the  capital  stock 
paid  in.  These  bonds  are  safely  kept  by  the  said 
Treasurer.  The  Comptroller  of  the  Currency  then 
issues  to  the  bank  an  amount  of  bank  notes  equal  to  the 
amount  of  bonds  thus  deposited,  less  ten  per  cent.  In 
case  the  bank  should  fail  to  redeem  its  circulating  bill?, 
its  bonds  are  sold,  and  with  the  proceeds,  the  Comptroller 
of  the  Currency  redeems  them,  or  orders  them  to  be  paid 
at  the  United  States  Treasury.  The  bonds  held  by  the 


NATIONAL    BANKS.  235 

Treasurer  as  security  for  the  redemption  of  the  bills 
issued  by  the  association,  must  be  transferred  to  him,  in 
trust ;  thus  giving  him  entire  control  of  them  in  case 
it  becomes  necessary  to  sell  them  in  order  to  redeem 
the  bills  of  any  association  which  may  have  failed  to 
pay  them  on  demand. 

5.  This  act  of  1863,  before  mentioned,  has  brought  a 
great  number  of  new  banks  into  existence.  It  allowed  banks 
already  existing  under  State  laws,  to  become  banking 
associations,  under  this  act.     Most  of  the  existing  State 
banks  have  done  so ;    organizing  themselves  under  this 
law.     Hence  with  few  exceptions,  (which  will  probably 
soon  disappear),  we  have  a  uniform  system  of  banking  all 
over  the  United  States.     The  bills  of  these  banks  pass  in 
any  part  of  the  country.     The  holders  of  them  are  more 
secure,  because  there  is  ample  security  for  their  redemp- 
tion, (in   case   the   bank   fails   to   pay)  deposited  in   the 
United  States    Treasury,  where   they  will  be  paid  up  on 
presentation. 

6.  The  billholder  is  also  better  protected  against  coun- 
terfeits than  he  was  under  the  old  system;  for  all  the  bills 
issued    by    these    associations    are    engraved    by    the 
Government,  and  the  plates  and  dies  on  which  they  are 
printed  are  kept  by  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency  in  the 
Treasury  department.      The  engraving  is  done  in  the  best 
possible  manner,  and  it  is  exceedingly  difficult  to  counterfeit 
them.   Besides  this,  they  all  have  the  imprint  of  the  seal  of 
the  Treasury  on  their  face,  and  are  numbered,  and  counter- 
signed by  the  Treasurer  and  Register.     With  all  these 
guards  and  precautions,  we  have  the  best  paper  currency 
we  have  ever  had  since  the  establishment  of  the  Govern- 
ment. 


236  OUTLINES   OF  U.   S.    GOVERNMENT. 

7.  This  act  necessarily  threw  upon  the  Treasury  depart- 
ment a  great  increase  of  labor,  and  in  order  to  provide  for 
it,  a  separate  Bureau  was  created,  which  is  denominated 
the  JSureau  of  Currency;  the  chief  officer  of  which  is 
called  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency.  He  acts  under 
the  general  direction  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 
This  Bureau  is  charged  with  the  execution  of  this,  and  all 
other  laws  that  may  be  passed  by  Congress  respecting  the 
National  Currency.  The  Comptroller  of  the  Currency  is 
appointed  by  the  President  and  Senate,  has  a  Deputy, 
receives  a  salary  of  $5,000  per  year,  holds  his  office  five 
years,  has  an  official  seal,  gives  bonds  to  the  amount  of 
$100,000,  and  takes  and  subscribes  the  oath  of  office 
prescribed  by  the  Constitution  and  the  laws.  His  duties 
are  numerous  and  very  responsible, — he  having  hundreds 
of  millions  under  his  care. 

The  terms  National  Banks,  given  to  these  institutions; 
and  National  Currency  to  the  bills  they  issue,  were  given 
from  the  fact  that  they  were  organized  by  an  act  of  Con- 
gress, and  that  the  security  for  the  redemption  of  their 
bills  consists  exclusively  of  National  bonds;  no  other 
securities  will  be  taken. 


MILITARY  ACADEMY.  237 


CHAPTER    LVII. 
X&ilitary  Academy. 

1.  THE  Military  Academy,  located  on  the  west  bank  of 
the  Hudson  river,  at  West  Point,  in  the   State  of  New 
York,  and  about  50  miles  from  the  city  of  New  York,  is 
one  of  the  Government  Institutions.      It  had  its  origin  in 
an  act  of  Congress,  passed  as  early  as  1802.     Under  this 
act,  this  far-famed  military  school   was  commenced ;  but 
on  a  scale,  in  every  respect,  very  much  inferior  to  what  it 
has  since  become. 

2.  Its  name  explains  its  character  and  objects.     It  was 
established  and  has  been  continued  at  a  great  expense ; 
for  the  purpose  of  teaching  and  training  up  young  men  in 
the  science  and  art  of  war ;  that  in  any  emergency,  the 
country  might  have  a  sufficient  number  of  men,  educated 
and  skilled  in  all  such  arts  and  sciences  as  appertain  to 
war.     Hence,  Mathematics,  Engineering,  Gunnery,  Draw- 
ing, Natural  and  Experimental  Philosophy,  and  Military 
Tactics,  are  among   the   principal  branches  taught.     In 
all  of  these,  able  professors  give  instruction  to  the  cadets,  as 
the  pupils  ai-e  called.  Chemistry,  Geology,  and  the  French 
language  are  also  taught  at  this  Institution.     The  instruc- 
tion is  thorough,  the  discipline  excellent,  and  some  of  the 
graduates  of  this  celebrated  school  rank  high  among  the 
scientific  men  of  the  country. 


238  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

3.  Congress  controls  and  regulates  this  establishment 
as  it  does  all  other  departments,  institutions,   and  works 
belonging  to  the  Government.     It  enacts  all  laws  relating 
to  its  officers,  professors,  and  cadets,  and  to  the  manage- 
ment of  the  Institution. 

4.  By  a  law  passed  in  1843,  the  number  of  cadets  to  be 
admitted  was  made  to  correspond  with  the  number  of 
Senators   and  Representatives  from  each  State.      Every 
State  and  Territory  is  entitled  to  send  as  many  cadets  as 
it  has  Senators  and  Representatives  in  Congress.      This 
gives  each  Territory,  however,  but  one ;  as  a  Territory  has 
no  Senators,  and  but  one  Representative.      By  the  same 
law  the  District  of  Columbia  is  allowed  one.      To  give 
every  part  of  the  country  an  equal  chance,  it  was  enacted 
that  each  congressional  district  in  every  State  and  Terri- 
tory should  be  allowed  to  send  one  cadet,  to  be  educated 
at  West  Point.      These  are  generally  nominated  for  ap- 
pointment by  the  Congressmen  from  their  respective  dis- 
tricts, and  the  President  appoints.      The  cadet   must  be 
an  actual  resident  of  the  district  for  which  he  is  appointed. 

5.  In  addition  to  these,  it  is  provided  by  the  same  act, 
that  10  more  cadets  may  be  appointed  at  large  ;  i.  e.  with- 
out regard  to  Congressional  districts.      These   provisions 
would  make  the  number  of  cadets   at  the   present  time 
(1867),  to  be  three  hundred  and  fifteen.      In  order  to  be 
admitted  as  a  cadet,  the  candidate  must  be  well  versed 
in  reading,  writing  and  arithemetic ;  must  not  be  under 
14  nor  over  21  years   of  age ;    and   must    sign   articles, 
agreeing  to  serve  the  United  States  eight  years.      After 
he  has  finished  his  studies  and  has  graduated,,  he  is  con- 


MILITARY    ACADEMY.  239 

sidered  as  a  candidate  for  a  commission  in  the  army,  ac- 
cording to  the  duties  he  may  be  competent  to  perform. 

6.  The  Military  Academy  may  be  considered  a  branch  of 
the  War  Department.    Men  who  have  been  educated  there 
have  rendered  the  country  signal  service  in  times  of  war  ; 
have  made  able  commanders,  and  have  proved  themselves 
thoroughly  skilled  in  military  science.      Not  only  in  the 
military  service  has  it  been  a  benefit  to  the  country,  but 
in  the  civil  walks  of  life.     Many  of  its  graduates  have  dis- 
tinguished  themselves  as  engineers,  astronomers,  and  in 
other  scientific  professions,  and  useful  employments. 

7.  There  is  an  annual  examination  of  the  cadets,  of  the 
general   affairs   of    the   Institution,  by  a  committee  ap- 
pointed by  the  President,  for  that  purpose. 

It  is  composed  of  Congressmen  and  military  officers.  It 
is  the  duty  of  these  examiners  to  attend  the  examination, 
inspect  its  discipline,  and  course  of  instruction,  look  after 
its  fiscal  affairs,  and  all  other  matters  relating  to  the  aca- 
demy, and  to  report  the  same  to  the  Secretary  of  War, 
for  the  use  of  Congress. 


240  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER    LVIII. 
KTaval    Academy. 

1.  WE  will  place  our  notice  of  this  institution  next  to 
that  of  the  Military  Academy,  as  there  is  a  strong  analogy 
between  the  two.  We  remarked  on  that,  that  it  might  be 
considered  a  branch  of  the  War  Department.  So  we  say 
of  this,  it  may  be  considered  a  branch  of  the  Navy  Depart- 
ment. Both  are  designed  to  educate  and  train  men  for 
future  public  service,  in  different  departments. 

2.  This  school  is  now  established  at  Annapolis,  in  the  State 
of  Maryland,  near  Washington.  Like  the  Military  Academy, 
it  has  its  Superintendent  and  Professors.      The  pupils  are 
called  Midshipmen.     They  are  taught  navigation,  and  such 
other  branches  of  science  as  are  necessary  to  make  them 
good  seamen  and  naval  officers.     They  are  selected  upon 
nearly  the  same  plan  as  cadets.     Each  Congressional  Dis- 
trict   now   in   every    State  and   Territory,  is  entitled   to 
send  two  students  to  be  educated  at  the  Academy.     The 
District  of  Columbia  is  also  entitled  to  send  two.   Besides 
which,  the  President  is  allowed  to  appoint  ten  additional 
ones, — to  be  selected  from  acting-Midshipmen, — at  large, 
and  thi'ee  more  from  the  boys  enlisted  in  the  navy. 

3.  After  their  graduating  examination, — if  they  pass, — 
they  are  commissioned  as  Ensigns  in  the  navy,  and  rank 
according  to  merit.     Before  admission,  they  are  examined 


NAVAL  ACADEMY.  241 

according  to  the  regulations  made  by  the  Secretary  of  the 
Navy,  and  must  be  between  the  ages  of  fourteen  and  sev- 
enteen years,  sound,  robust,  and  of  good  constitution. 

4.  The  course  of  study  in  this,  as  well  as  in  the  Military 
Academy,  is  adapted  to  the  profession  which  the  students 
are  expected  to  follow, — th  j  one  in  the  Navy,  the  other  in 
in  the  Army.  More  are  educated  at  these  great  national 
schools  than  the  government  needs  in  time  of  peace.  Hence 
it  is  that  many  of  the  graduates  are  engaged  in  civil  em- 
ployment. Thus  these  institutions  have  been  of  great 
service  to  the  country,  outside  of  the  Army  and  Navy, 
for  they  have  added  to  the  number  of  well-educated  and 
scientific  men,  who  may  be  useful  in  any  of  the  walks  of 
life.  Their  graduates  elevate  the  standard  of  intelligence 
in  the  community,  especially  when  they  engage  in  the 
work  of  instruction. 

Both  of  these  institutions  are  supported  at  the  expense 
of  the  Government.  The  tuition  and  board  of  the  cadets 
in  one,  and  of  the  Midshipmen  in  the  other,  costs  them 
nothing. 


242  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER    LIX. 
Armories  and  Arsenals. 

As  early  as  1794,  Congress  enacted  that  three  or  four 
Arsenals  and  Magazines,  with  an  Armory  attached  to  each, 
should  be  established  for  the  safe  keeping  of  military 
stores.  An  Arsenal  is  a  place  where  arms  and  military 
stores  are  kept.  An  Armory  is  a  place  where  arms  are 
made  or  repaired.  The  Armories  where  arms  are  manufac- 
tured are  at  Springfield  in  Massachusetts,  and  at  Harpers' 
Ferry  in  Virginia.  But  there  are  many  others  where  they 
are  repaired. 

In  1808,  the  President  was  authorized  to  purchase  sites 
and  to  erect  as  many  more  arsenals  and  manufactories  of 
arms  as  he  might  deem  expedient.  Each  of  these  estab- 
lishments was  formerly  under  the  direction  of  a  Superin- 
tendent ;  but  they  are  now  placed  under  the  direction  of 
the  Ordnance  department.  The  office  of  Superintendent 
of  the  Armories  at  Springfield  and  Harpers'  Ferry,  was 
also  abolished  in  1842 ;  and  its  duties  have  since  been 
performed  by  such  officers  of  the  Ordnance  Corps  as  were 
designated  by  the  President.  In  each  Armory  there  is  em- 
ployed a  Master- Armorer,  who  superintends  the  workmen. 
We  have  not  the  means  of  knowing  what  number  of  these 
establishments  have  been  authorized  in  the  United  States, 
but  in  addition  to  those  already  named  there  are  arsenals 


ARMORIES   AND    ARSENALS.  243 

and  armories  at  Pittsburgh  in  Pennsylvania;  at  Wash- 
ington city ;  at  Watervliet  and  Watertown,  in  New  York ; 
at  Columbus,  Ohio ;  at  Indianapolis,  in  Indiana ;  and  at 
Rock  Island,  in  Illinois,  They  are  parts  of  the  military 
establishment  of  the  country,  and  belong  to  the  War  De- 
partment. 


244  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER    LX. 
The  Army  and  LTavy. 

1.  A  DETAILED  and  a  minute  description  of  the  various 
departments,  officials,  works  and  modes  of  operation,  in 
these  two  great  Government  establishments,   would  re- 
quire a  larger  volume  than  the  present  to  contain  it.     We 
must,  therefore,  in  a  work  of  this  kind,  be  content  to  speak 
of  them  in  the  most  general  terms.      Indeed  it  would  be 
quite  uninteresting  to  the  general  reader  to  peruse  a  de- 
tailed account  of  the  division  of  the  Army  into  corps, 
brigades,  regiments  and  companies,  with  all  the  grades  of 
officers  commanding  them ;  or  of  all  the  appendages  to 
an  army,  such  as  the  Commissary  department,  the   Quar- 
termaster's department,  and  many  other  important  attach- 
ments to  a  regular  Army.     And  what  we  say  of  the  Army 
would  hold  true  of  the  Navy. 

2.  We  will  then  only  say  that  the  Army  and  the  Navy 
are  the  two  great  arms  of  our  Government,  as  they  are  of 
all  others.    They  are  the  means  of  defence  against  attacks 
or  invasions  from  other  powers;  as   well  as  of  offense, 
when  circumstances  require  us  to  invade  foreign  countries, 
or  to  enforce  our  rights  upon  the  high  seas,  thoiigh  this  is 
especially  the  duty  of  the  navy,  which  has  rights  all  over 
the  seas  equal  with  those  of  any  other  nation.      But  to  re- 
sist foreign  aggression,  or  to  defend  our  rights  on  the  seas, 


THE  ARMY  AND  NAVY.          245 

is  by  no  means  the  only  reason  for  maintaining  an  army 
and  a  navy.  Experience  has  shown  that  such  is  the  de- 
pravity, the  lawlessness,  and  the  wickedness  of  a  part  of 
mankind,  that  nothing  but  compulsion  will  keep  them  in 
order ;  nothing  but  force  will  keep  them  from  the  viola- 
tion of  the  best  of  laws.  This  reckless  and  vicious  class  of 
persons  are  so  numerous  that  laws  could  never  be  exe- 
cuted, nor  order  preserved,  if  no  military  or  naval  power 
stood  behind  the  civil  power  to  enforce  the  laws  when 
they  are  resisted  by  any  considerable  body  of  persons. 
But  for  the  known  fact  that  the  military  power  stands 
ready  at  the  call  of  the  executive  authority  of  the  Govern- 
ment, resistance  to  every  law  which  was  distasteful  to  the 
most  depraved  and  vicious  would  be  made.  Thus  order 
at  home,  almost  as  much  requires  the  military  power  as 
our  defence  against  the  wrongs  or  invasions  of  foreigners. 

3.  Tho  Navy  cannot  act  in  all  emergencies  as  the  Army 
can,  because  it  is  necessarily  restricted  in  its  actions.  It 
can  only  act  on  the  seas  or  upon  places  accessible  to  it  by 
water ;  whereas  the  Army  can  operate  any  where  upon 
land.  It  never  has  been  the  policy  or  the  practice  of  the 
United  States  to  keep  a  large  standing  army,  for  it  has 
been  thought  inconsistent  with  a  republican  government ; 
fii'st,  because  it  seemed  to  imply  a  want  of  confidence  in 
the  intelligence  and  patriotism  of  the  people,  the  majority 
of  whom  are  deemed  law-abiding,  patriotic,  and  willing 
without  compulsion  to  support  the  authority  of  the  civil 
power  of  the  Government.  And  another  reason  is  that  a 
large  army  is  a  very  expensive  thing.  Indeed  the  Army 
and  the  Navy  are  by  far  the  two  most  expensive  depart- 
ments of  the  Government.  Economy  therefore  is  another 


246  OUTLINES   OF   U.    S.    GOVERNMENT. 

reason  why  our  standing  army  has  always  been  small  in 
times  of  peace.  In  this  connection  we  will  notice  another 
fact,  which  renders  it  unnecessary  for  our  Government  to 
maintain  a  large  army,  at  any  other  time  than  when  we 
are  at  war,  and  that  is  our  militia  system,  which  was 
established  immediately  after  the  organization  of  the 
Government.  By  a  law  of  Congress,  it  was  enacted,  that 
every  sound  and  healthy  man,  with  a  few  exceptions  in 
special  cases,  between  the  ages  of  18  and  45  should  be 
enrolled  and  equipped  for  military  duty.  Then,  by  the 
laws  of  the  States,  they  are  required  on  certain  days  in 
each  year  to  meet  in  companies,  regiments  or  brigades, 
for  drill  and  practice  in  military  exercises. 

4.  By  these  means  military  organizations  are  kept  up 
in  every  part  of  the  country,  together  with  some  know- 
ledge of  the  military  art.  These,  in  time  of  war  or 
domestic  insurrection,  may  be  called  out  with  but  a  few 
days'  notice ;  and  a  large  army  of  citizen  soldiers  can  be 
raised  in  a  very  short  time.  With  such  facilities  for  raising 
men  it  is  unnecessary  to  keep  a  standing  army  of  much 
magnitude.  A  few  thousand  men  to  guard  our  fortifica- 
tions and  military  posts  are  sufficient. 

The  late  civil  war  between  the  South  and  the  North 
gave  ample  evidence  of  this ;  for  when  it  became  necessary 
to  raise  a  million  of  men  it  was  done  in  a  short  time,  and 
after  a  little  practice  they  became  good  soldiers.  Until 
the  recent  civil  war,  the  Navy  of  the  United  States  was,  in 
comparison  with  that  of  several  other  nations,  small  and 
weak.  But  during  the  rebellion  the  necessity  of  greater 
force  hi  this  arm  of  our  government,  very  soon  brought 
into  existence  the  most  powerful  navy  in  the  world  ;  and 


THE   ARMY    AND    NAVY.  247 

to-day,  our  navy  ranks  as  one  of  the  best,  if  not  the  very 
best  in  the  world ;  notwithstanding  that  it  has  been  greatly 
diminished  since  peace  has  been  restored. 

5.  The  necessities  of  the  case  called  for  many  more 
vessels  than  the  Government  had  ;    and  a  large  number 
were  purchased  which  had  been  built  and  used  for  com- 
mercial purposes.      Besides   these,  a  great  nnmber  were 
built ;    and  many   English   vessels,  which   had   run  the 
blockade,  or  attempted  to  do  so,  were  taken  as  prizes,  and 
immediately  placed  in  our  navy.   Hence  perhaps  no  navy 
upon  earth  ever  grew  from  smallness  to  greatness,  and 
from  weakness  to  power  so  rapidly  as  did  the  American 
Navy  from  1861  to  1865,  or  during  the  continuance  of  the 
rebellion. 

Not  only  was  the  number  of  ships,  men,  and  guns 
greatly  increased,  but  the  power  and  efficiency  of  our  guns 
were  augmented  beyond  'any  thing  ever  known  before ;  as 
was  also  the  power  of  our  ships  of  war  for  offence  or 
defence.  "When  we  see  cannon  which  will  send  balls  five 
miles,  and  do  terrible  execution,  and  iron-clad  ships  so 
constructed  as  to  be  as  impervious  to  cannon  balls  as  a  rock 
is  to  small  shot,  we  may  place  our  navy  on  an  equality,  if 
not  in  advance  of  any  other  which  can  be  found  on  earth. 
In  this  respect  we  stand  on  a  proud  eminence  in  contrast 
with  any  other  nation. 

6.  We  have  said  already  that  since  the  restoration  of 
peace  among  ourselves,  the  force  of  the  navy  had  been 
greatly  reduced  and  brought  down  to  a  peace  standard. 
Yet  it  is  still  of  sufficient  power  to  answer  any  emergency, 
that  is  likely  to  occur.     From  the  report  of  the  Secretary 
of  the  Navy,  rendered  near  the  end  of  the  year  1866,  we 


248  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

learn  that  the  present  naval  power  of  the  country  consists 
of  278  vessels  of  all  descriptions ;  carrying  2,351  guns, 
and  about  13,600  seamen,  which  in  case  of  war  could  easily 
be  doubled. 

7.  We  have   in   another  place   spoken   of  the   Naval 
Academy,  and  said  that  its  object  was  to  educate  young 
men  for  the  naval  service.     The   Government   has   also 
appropriated  ships    and  established  schools  on  board  of 
them  for  the  instruction  of  boys  in  navigation,  and  naval 
warfare.     These  are  called  apprentices ;  and  for  good  con- 
duct and  proQciency  in  their  studies,  they  arc  promoted  to 
the  Naval  Academy,  and  placed  in  the  line  of  promotion. 
Thus  the  Government  is  training  up  a  class  of  young  men 
for  the  navy,  who  will  not  only  be  well  educated,  but  well 
drilled  in  all  the  arts  and  sciences  which  pertain  to  the 
naval  service.     "  In  time  of  peace  prepare  for  war,"  is  a 
proverb  on  which  the  Government  is  now  acting. 

8.  For  the  construction  of  our  vessels  of  war  and  for 
their  equipment   and   repairs,  several   Navy  Yards  have 
been   established   along  the  coast,  and   on  some  of  the 
navigable    rivers.      Here    the    ships    are    built,    armed, 
equipped,   manned   and   fitted  out  for  their  destination. 
The  principal  Navy  Yards  are  at  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  Phila- 
delphia, Pa.,  Norfolk,  Va.,  and  Pensacola,  Fla. 

9.  Not  half  of  the  vessels  belonging  to  the  navy  are, 
however,  (now  in  time  of  peace)  in  commission,  that  is,  in 
active    service.      The    rest   are   either    laid    up,   or  in 
process    of   repair.      Most   of  those   in  commission   are 
employed    in    what   is    called   squadron    service.      The 
Secretary  of  the  Navy  in  his  last  report  enumerates  seven 
of  these  squadrons ;    viz.,  the  European,  the  Asiatic,  the 


THE  ARMY  AND  NAVY.          249 

North  Atlantic,  the  South  Atlantic,  the  North  Pacific,  the 
South  Pacific,  and  the  Gulf  squadrons.  The  names  given 
to  these  squadrons  indicate  their  whereabouts,  and  their 
cruising  grounds.  These  squadrons  consist  of  six,  eight, 
ten,  twelve  or  fifteen  vessels,  as  the  work  to  be  done  may 
require.  It  is  their  duty  to  visit  the  sea  ports  of  the 
various  countries  along  the  coasts  of  which  they  cruise,  in 
order  to  proctect  our  merchantmen  against  pirates  or 
enemies  of  any  description,  who  may  molest  them  or  inter- 
fere with  their  rights  or  privileges ;  and  also  to  look  after 
the  interests  and  dignity  of  the  United  States. 

10.  These  squadrons  are  under  the  command  of  a  high 
naval  officer  of  the  rank  of  Commodore  or  Rear- Admiral, 
whose  ship  is  called  the  Flag  ship  of  the  squadron.  Many 
of  our  naval  officers  have  distinguished  themselves  for 
bravery,  skill,  and  patriotic  devotion  to  their  country, 
and  have  occupied  the  highest  position  of  honor,  and  the 
most  exalted  places  in  the  esteem  and  affections  of  their 
countrymen. 

In  1862,  Congress  enacted  that  there  should  be  nine 
grades  of  officers  in  the  Navy,  and  that  their  correspond- 
ing rank  with  military  officers  should  be  as  follows — 

1.  Rear- Admiral,  with  Major-General. 

2.  Commmdores,  "  Brigadier-Generals. 

3.  Captains,  "  Colonels. 

4.  Commanders,  "        •        Lieutenant-Colonels. 

5.  Lieut.-Commanders,      "  Majoi-s. 
G.  ^Lieutenants,                    "  Captains. 

7.  Masters,  "  First  Lieutenants. 

8.  Ensigns,  "  Second  Lieutenants. 

9.  Midshipmen,  with  no  corresponding  rank  in  the  Arrm  j 


250  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER     LXI. 
Articles  of  War. 

1.  As  a  sequel,  or  as  a  kind  of  appendix  to  what  has 
been  said  about  the  army,  it  seems  appropriate  to  make 
some  remarks  upon  the  "  Articles  of  AVar,"  as  they  are 
commonly  called.     These  are  not,  as  some  might  suppose 
them  to  be,  rules  made  by  the  highest  officers  in  command, 
for  the  government  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  inferior 
rank ;  but  they  are  laws  of  Congress,  acts  of  that   body. 
Hence  they  come  from  the  highest  authority  in  the  land, 
and  are  as  binding  upon  the  highest  in  command  as  upon 
the  humblest  private. 

2.  They  relate  of  course  exclusively  to  the  army,   and 
consist  of  one  hundred  and  one  articles,  each  containing 
some  specific  rule  or  direction  for  the  government  of  either 
officers,  soldiers,  or  attachees  of  the  army.     They  form  a 
complete  Code  of  laws  for  them  all,  while  in  actual  service. 
The  first  one  of  these  requires  every  officer  in  the  army  to 
subscribe  these  rules  and  regulations,  before  he  enters  upon 
his  duties ;  thus   signifying   his   approval   of  them,   and 
tacitly  promising  to  regulate  his  conduct  by  them. 

3.  But  to  recite  the  provisions  of  each  article  would  re- 
quire more  space  than  we  can  appropriate  to  this  theme 
Let  it  suffice  then  to  enumerate  some  of  the  principal  sub- 
jects embraced  in  these  articles  ;  showing  what  matters 


ARTICLES    OF    WAR.  251  _ 

relating  to  the  army  Congress  has  seen  fit  to  regulate  by 
legislation.     These  are, — 

1st.  Directions  to  both  officers  and  men  to  attend  public 
worship,  accompanied  by  penalties  prescribed  for  any  im- 
proper behavior  on  such  occasions. 

4.  They  prohibit  the  use  of  profane  oaths  and  execra- 
tions, of  contemptuous  and  disrespectful  language  against 
their  superiors ,  the  raising  of  a  mutiny  among  the  troops; 
and  the  striking,  raising  any  weapon,  or  offering  any  vio- 
lence to  a  superior  officer.     They  prescribe  the  oath  or 
affirmation  which  every  officer  and  private  must  take  upon 
his  entrance  into  the  army,  and  the  penalties  for  the  viola- 
tion of  any  of  the  Articles  of  War,  or  the  omission  of  any 
duties  incumbent  upon  them.     They  contain  rules  for  the 
enlistment,  dismissal,  and  discharging  of  men,  and   for 
granting  them  furloughs,  and  leave  of  absence,  with  penal- 
ties for  desertion,  or  absence  without  leave. 

5.  They  prohibit   duelling,   or  challenging  to  a  duel ', 
make  rules  for  sutlers  in  the  army;  prohibit  embezzlement 
of  public  property,  or  public  money ;  sleeping  while  on 
guard ;  drunkenness  ;  absence  from  parade  ;  raising  false 
alarms ;    cowardice ;    disclosing  watchwords ;    aiding   or 
corresponding  with  the  enemy.      They  prescribe  the  rank 
and  grade  of  officers ;  direct  how  courts-martial  shall  be 
constituted;  how  proceedings  shall  be  conducted  in  them  ; 
and  how  deceased  officers'  and  soldiers'  money,  effects  and 
arms,  shall  be  disposed  of. 

G.  These  are  the  most  important  among  the  provisions 
of  the  "  Articles  of  War,"  and  with  others  of  less  note, 
must  be  read  and  published  once  in  every  six  months- 
to  every  regiment  or  troop  in  the  service.  In  many  in- 


252  OUTLINES  OP  U.  S.    GOVERNMENT. 

stances,  they  prescribe  specifically  what  punishment  shall 
be  inflicted  for  any  violation  of  these  rules  and  regula- 
tions ;  but  in  other  cases  they  leave  the  mode  and  amount 
of  punishment  to  the  discretion  of  the  courts-martial,  be- 
fore which  the  accused  is  tried.  Penalties  for  military  of- 
fences rise  in  severity,  corresponding  with  the  turpitude 
of  the  crime,  from  a  small  fine,  or  a  short  imprisonment,  up 
to  death.  The  sentence  of  any  court-martial  may,  how- 
ever, always  be  modified,  commuted,  or  set  aside  by  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  who  is,  as  is  well-known, 
Commander-in-Chief  both  of  the  Army  and  Navy.  A 
general  court-martial  is  composed  of  commissioned  officers, 
not  less  than  five,  nor  more  than  thirteen  in  number. 


CHAPLAINS.  253 


CHAPTER  LXIL 
Chaplains. 

1.  IF  Chaplains  are  not  officers  of  the  Government,  they 
are  at  least  employees  of  it ;  for  they  are  appointed  by  its 
authority,  and  paid  from  its  treasury.     Those  in  the  army 
receive  the  same  pay  and  emoluments  as  a  Major  of  in- 
fantry ;  or  this  was  the  compensation  allowed  by  act  of 
Congress  in  1812.     But  by  an  act  of  1862,  it  was  fixed  at 
$100,00  per  month,  and  two  rations  per  day,  for  those  in 
the  army  or  hospitals.      By  the  act  of  1812,  one  Chaplain 
was  allowed  to  every  brigade  ;  but  by  an  act  of  1861, 
(during  the  civil  war),  one  for  every  regiment  was  allowed. 

Navy  Chaplains,  in  1835,  received  $1,200  per  year. 
But  in  1860  this  was  raised  to  a  Lieutenant's  pay  ;  and 
this  in  1862  was  81,800  per  annum. 

Chaplains  in  Congress  receive  $750  per  annum. 

2.  The  United   States   also  employ  a  chaplain  in  the 
Military  Academy  at  West  Point. 

From  the  foregoing,  it  will  be  seen  that  in  time  of  war 
with  one  chaplain  for  every  regiment,  and  one  for  every 
ship  of  war,  and  others  in  hospitals  and  military  posts, 
quite  a  large  number  of  clergymen  are  employed  by  the 
Government. 

This  provision  for  the  religious  instruction  of  those  who 
cannot,  from  their  peculiar  position  attend  the  preaching 


254  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

of  the  Gospel,  or  other  religious  services,  is  certainly  an 
indication  that  our  Government  respects  religion,  and 
looks  after  the  spiritual,  as  well  as  the  temporal  interests 
of  its  Army  and  Navy. 

3.  In  the  appointment  of  chaplains,  the  Government 
pursues  a  liberal  course.  They  give  no  particular  prefer- 
ence to  any  denomination,  but  appoint  them  from  almost 
every  religious  sect,  and  allows  them  to  conduct  religious 
services  after  the  forms  of  the  church  to  which  they  respec- 
tively belong. 

Every  body  knows  what  the  duties  of  a  Chaplain  are. 
So  we  need  not  explain  them  here,  and  will  only  add  that 
a  faithful  Chaplain,  in  the  army  in  time  of  war,  has  much 
to  do  besides  preaching,  and  holding  regular  religious  ser- 
vices. The  wounded,  the  sick,  and  the  dying,  should  be 
the  particular  objects  of  his  attention.  He  should  not 
only  minister  religious  instruction  and  consolation  to  them, 
but  look  after  their  physical  comforts.  Many  of  these 
clergymen  during  the  late  most  unfortunate  civil  war,  dis- 
tinguished themselves  by  their  exertions  to  promote  the 
bodily  comforts  of  those  unfortunate  men,  as  well  as  to 
give  them  religious  instruction,  not  refusing  to  nurse  the 
sick  and  wounded,  whenever  they  could  relieve  their  pains, 
or  mitigate  their  sufferings. 


THE   NAVAL   OBSERVATORY.  255 


CHAPTER  LXIH. 
The  naval  Observatory. 

1.  THIS  Institution  is  located  in  Washington,  and  was 
established  by  act  of  Congress  in  1842,  and  put  into  oper- 
ation in  1844.  Its  name  indicates  the  particular  object 
or  purpose  of  its  establishment.  The  "  Naval  Observatory" 
suggests  the  idea  that  it  has  some  connexion  with  the 
Navy,  and  so  it  has  ;  for  the  immediate  object  in  founding 
it  was,  to  determine  such  astronomical  problems  as  would 
be  of  great  service  to  the  Navy.  It  is  well  known  that 
Astronomy  lies  at  the  foundation  of  nautical  science,  and 
that  without  the  knowledge  of  the  former,  but  little  skill 
in  the  latter  could  ever  be  acquired. 

2.  The  Observatory  was  built  and  finished  with  various 
astronomical  and  philosophical  instruments,  and  a  corps 
of  professors  were  appointed  to  watch  the  movements  of 
the  heavenly  bodies,  and  to  make  such  observations  and 
experiments  as  would  enable  them  to  determine  many  un- 
settled questions  which  relate  to  the  science  of  navigation  ; 
and  incidentally  to  another  great  Government  work,  hav- 
ing especial  reference  to  the  same  subject ;  that  is, — the 
Coast  Survey. 

The  Coast  Survey  has  already  been  of  great  service  to 
the  interests  of  navigation, — whether  national  or  commer- 
cial vessels  are  regarded, — and  when  finished,  much 


256  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

greater  benefits  are  to  be  expected.  When  a  sufficient 
number  of  observations.and  experiments  shall  have  been 
made  at  the  Naval  Observatory,  and  published  to  the 
world,  much  valuable  information  Avill  be  added  to  what 
is  already  known.  And  indeed  it  would  be  disreputable 
to  a  nation  having  so  large  a  Navy,  and  such  a  vast  num- 
ber of  merchant  ships  upon  the  ocean  as  we  have,  to  do 
nothing  for^  or  to  add  nothing  to,  the  science  of  naviga- 
tion. It  would  be  an  unwise  policy  if  economy  only  were 
studied,  and  we  should  justly  deserve  the  reproach  of 
being  penurious,  short  sighted,  and  miserably  wanting  in 
disposition  to  promote  the  general  good  of  the  world. 

3.  During  the  first  nine  years  after  the  Government  of 
the  United  States  was  put  into  operation,  we  had  no  navy 
department.     The  administration  of  the  affairs  of  the  very 
small  Navy  which  we  then  had,  was  placed  in  the  hands 
of  the  Secretary  of  "War ;  and  after  a  navy  department 
was  established,  but  little  was  done  by  the  Government 
to  improve  nautical  science,  until  the  Naval   Observatory 
was  built;  since  that,  much  attention  has  been  given  to  this 
important  subject,  and  it  is  expected  that  corresponding- 
results  will  follow. 

4.  This  Institution  owes  more  to  that  enlightened  and 
truly  patriotic  President,  John  Q.  Adams,  than  to  any 
other  man.     He  recommended  it  as  far  back  as  1823,  and 
again  in  his  first  message  to  Congress.      But  political  op- 
position to  the  man,  prevented  his  recommendations  from 
being  acted  upon  till   nearly  20  years  after  they  were 
made.     This  opposition  was  finally  overcome,  and  we  and 
posterity  after  us,  will  reap  the  fruits  of  Mr.  Adams's  sug- 
gestions and  labors,  to  promote  the  cultivation  of  that 


THE   NAVAL  OBSERVATORY  257 

science  which  is  at  once  a  benefit  and  an  honor  to  our 
country. 

5.  The  professors  are  assiduous  in  their  labors,  and  pub- 
lish the  results  of  their  observations,  and  tho  facts  they 
have  determined.  These  are  not  only  of  use  to  our  own 
seamen,  but  to  those  of  all  nations,  who  are  doing  business 
on  the  great  deep.  Here  the  charts  made  by  the  Coast 
Survey  are  deposited,  and  here  all  our  national  vessels  are 
furnished  with  them,  and  with  all  the  nautical  instruments 
they  require.  The  charts,  instruments  and  books  relating 
to  astronomy  and  navigation  found  here,  n»ake  it  the 
head  quarters  and  depot  of  nautical  science  in  *-\e  United 
States. 


258  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  LXIV. 
Coast  Survey. 

1.  THE  Coast  Survey,  the  Naval  Observatory  and  light 
houses  are  all  of  a  similar  character ;  government  works  in 
their  purposes,  and  in  their  utility.     The  plan  of  making 
a  survey  of  the  whole  coast,  and  of  keeping  it  lighted,  is  one 
founded  in  a  wise  and  generous  policy.   It  aids  commerce, 
and  encourages  navigation,  by  making  known  the  hidden 
dangers  of  the  sea,  and  by  giving  directions  how  to  avoid 
them. 

2.  This  government  undertaking  has  not  been  as  vigor- 
ously prosecuted  as  some  other  enterprises  conducted  by  it. 
As  early  as  1807,  Congress  passed  an  act  authorizing  the 
President  to  have  this  work  done.    Much  of  it  has  been 
done,  yet  it  is  not  finished  at  this  day.     Our  acquisition  of 
Florida,  Texas  and  California  has  greatly  extended  our 
sea  coast  since  the  work  was  commenced,  and  its  accom- 
plishment   has    cost    more  time    and    labor    than    was 
anticipated  at  the  beginning,  yet  we  think  it  ought  to  have 
been  completed  in  much  less  than  60  years. 

3.  This  work,  like  that  relating  to  light-houses,  is  under 
the  management  of  a  Board  ;  consisting  of  a  superintend- 
ant,  two  principal  assistants,  two  naval  officers,  and  four 
officers  of  the  army.      These  nine  constitute  the  Board. 
Then  there  are   as  many  officers  of  the  army  and  navy 
employed  in  the  execution  of  the  work  as  are  deemed 


COAST   SURVEY.  259 

necessary.  And  the  public  vessels,  by  direction  of  the 
President,  may  be  used  in  order  to  facilitate  the  work,  for 
much  of  it  must  be  done  out  at  sea.  The  survey  extends 
20  leagues  from  the  shore.  The  surveyors  must  make 
accurate  charts  (which  I  will  call  sea  maps)  of  the  whole 
coast,  in  which  are  laid  down  all  the  islands,  shoals,  roads 
or  anchorage  grounds  within  20  leagues  of  any  part  of  the 
shore  of  the  United  States.  The  courses  and  distances 
between  the  principal  capes  or  headlands,  must  be  laid 
down,  together  with  the  soundings  (depth  of  water)  and 
everything  else  necessary  to  make  a  complete  and  accur- 
ate chart  of  every  part  of  our  coasts. 

4.  An  annual  report  of  this  work  must  be  made  to  Con- 
gress in  December  of  each  year,  accompanied  with  charts, 
showing  the  progress  of  the  work,  the  number  of  persons 
employed,  the  expenses  incurred,  the  amount  of  work 
finished,  and  what  is  unfinished.  These  reports  and  charts 
are  carefully  preserved,  and  copies  of  them  may  be  had  at 
Washington  for  the  use  of  our  naval  and  merchant  ships, 
to  which  they  are  of  great  service,  as  guides  whenever 
they  are  on  or  near  the  coast.  This  work,  in  its  utility, 
is  not  confined  to  ourselves ;  but  the  important  informa- 
tion obtained  by  it  is  of  great  use  to  the  navigators  of  all 
nations,  who  come  into  our  ports,  or  cruise  on  our  coasts. 
They  derive  the  same  benefits  from  this  work  that  we 
derive  from  theirs  of  the  same  kind.  It  is  creditable  to 
any  nation  to  do  such  things  as  are  beneficial  to  the 
world,  such  acts  as  contribute  to  the  welfare  of  humanity. 
Shipwrecks  belong  to  the  list  of  terrible  calamities  which 
often  befal  those  "  who  go  down  to  the  sea  in  ships,  that 
do  business  in  great  Nvaters ;"  whoever  diminishes  these  is 
a  public  benefactor. 


260  OUTLINES  OF   U.   S.    GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  LXV. 
Slight-houses,  Buoys  and  Beacons. 

1.  THESE  are  all  Government  establishments,  and  we 
must  therefore  notice  them.     They  are  built,  lighted,  re- 
paired, and  taken  care  of,  wholly  by  the  Government 
Every  body  knows  the  object  for  which  they  are  con- 
structed.    Guided  by  them,  the  mariner  may  approact 
the  coast  in  the  night  with  safety ;  while  without  them 
many  noble  ships  would  be  wrecked,  which  now  safely 
arrive  in  port:     Humanity  and  interest  both  dictate  their 
construction,  near  the  entrance  to  every  sea-port ;  and  at 
the  most  dangerous  and  prominent  points  all  along  the 
sea  coast.     This  our  Government  has  wisely  done,  not 
only  on  the  sea  coasts,  which  stretch  for  thousands  of 
miles  along  our  borders,  but  also  along  the  shores  of  our 
navigable  lakes  and  rivers. 

2.  Keepers  are  appointed  by  the  government  to  keep 
them  in  repair ;  and  to  see  that  they  are  properly  lighted 
every  night.      "We  have  no  means  of  knowing  the  number 
of  these  useful  establishments ;  but  there  must  be  several 
hundreds  of  them ;  for  we  have  more  sea  coast  than  any 
other  nation  upon  the  globe,  with  a  still  greater  length  of 
lake  and  river  shore.      They  are  located  at   prominent 
points  and  at  dangerous  places,  all  along  the  extensive 
lines  of  coast,  and  shores. 


LIGHT-HOUSES.  261 

3.  All  this  work,  like  everything  else  done  by  Govern- 
ment, must  be  done  according  to  law.      In  order  to  the 
business  of  constructing  and  keeping  the  light-houses  in 
repair,    and  that    competent  men  may  have  the  whole 
matter  in  charge,  a  law  of  1852  authorized  the  President 
to  appoint  two  officers  of  the  navy  of  high  rank ;  one 
officer  of  the  Corps  of  Engineers  of  the  Army;  one  officer 
of  the  Topographical  engineers ;  and  two  civilians  of  high 
scientific  attainments,  to  form  a  LIGHT  HOUSE  BOAKD  of  the 
United  States.     This  Board  is  attached  to  the  Treasury 
department,  and  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  superin- 
tends its  operations.     The  Board  has  in  charge  the  build- 
ing, illumination,  and  inspection  of  light-houses,  light- 
vessels,  buoys,  beacons,  sea  marks  and  their  appendages. 

4.  The  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  is  President   of  the 
Board,   and  may   convene  them  whenever  he   deems  it 
necessary. 

The  law  makes  it  the  duty  of  the  Board  to  divide  the 
whole  of  the  sea,  gulf,  and  lake  coasts,  into  light-house 
districts ;  not  exceeding  12  in  number.  An  officer  of  the 
army  or  navy  is  assigned  to  each  district,  as  a  light-house 
inspector. 

"We  have  not  in  detail  enumerated  all  the  duties  devolv- 
ing on  this  Board,  and  therefore  say  in  general  terms  that 
they  have  control  of  evervthing  relating  to  light-houses, 
.light  ships,  buoys,  beacons,  or  other  means  of  directing 
vessels  in  and  out  of  port,  or  of  guiding  them  while  sail- 
ing along  the  coast  in  the  night. 

5.  As  foreign  vessels  receive  the  same  benefits  from  our 
light  houses  as  our  own,  there  is  nothing  unfair  or  illib- 
eral in  requiring  them  to  contribute  something  towards 


262  OUTLINES   OF   U.    S.    GOVERNMENT. 

the  expenses  of  maintaining  them.  For  this  purpose, 
Congress  has  imposed  a  tax,  or  laid  a  duty  of  50  cents 
per  ton  'on  all  foreign  vessels,  entering  any  ports  of  the 
United  States.  This  is  called 


LIGHT  MONEY, 


and  needs  no  explanation.  It  is  collected  in  the  same 
way  as  tonnage  duties  are,  i.  e.  by  the  Collector  of  the  port 
where  the  ship  arrives.  Light  money  is  not  required  of 
vessels  owned  by  citizens  of  the  United  States,  provided 
that  they  are  regularly  registered  as  the  law  directs,  or  have 
*  sea  letter. 

7.  A  sea  letter  is  a  document  or  certificate,  given  by  the 
Collector  of  a  port,  to  the  captain  of  an  American  vessel, 
certifying  that  she  belongs  to  a  citizen  or  citizens  of  the 
United  States.  Armed  with  this,  the  captain  can  pi'ove 
to  all  whom  it  may  concern,  anywhere  in  the  world,  the 
ownership  and  nationality  of  his  vessel.  This  is  a  pro- 
tection to  her,  and  her  cargo  ;  especially  in  times  of  war. 
It  is  one  of  a  snip's  papers. 


THE   SMITHSONIAN   INSTITUTION.  263 


CHAPTER  LXYI. 
The  Smithsonian  Institution. 

1.  THIS  Institution,  though  differing  materially  from 
almost  every  other  Government  establishment,  should  be 
noticed  in  a  work  of  this  kind ;   although  nothing  but  the 
official  machinery  by  which  it  was  at  first  set  in  motion, 
and  is  continued  in  operation,  belongs  to  the  Government. 
The  funds  with  which  it  was  founded,  were  furnished  by 
an  individual,  and  he  a  foreigner.     The  history  runs  thus  : 
A  noble-hearted  Englishman,  whose   name   was    James 
Smithson,  residing  in  the  City  of  London,  bequeathed  all 
his  property  to  the  United  States  of  America,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  founding  in  Washington  an  establishment  to  be 
known  as  the  "  Smithsonian  Institution,"  for  the  purpose 
of  increasing  and  diffusing  knowledge  among  men.     The 
United  States  accepted  the  bequest,  and  in  1846  passed  an 
act  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  the  beneficent  design  of 
Mr.  Smithson.    This  act  created  "  an  establishment,"  as  it 
is  denominated  in  the  act,  by  the  name  before  stated.     It 
might  have  been  called  a  corporation,  for  it  has  perpetual 
succession,  and  many  of  the  powers  incident  to  a  corpora- 
tion. 

2.  By  this  act  the  President  and  Vice-President  of  the 
United  States,  the  Secretary  of  State,  the  Secretary  of  tho 
Treasury,  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  Secretary  of  the  Xavy, 
the  Postmaster- General,  the  Attorney-General,  and  Chief 


264  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

Justice,  the  Commissioner  of  the  Patent  Office,  and  the 
Mayor  of  "Washington — during  the  time  they  shall  hold 
their  respective  offices,  together  with  such  other  persons 
as  they  may  elect  honorary  members — were  constituted  the 
establishment  under  the  name  of  the  Smithsonian  Institu- 
tion. 

3.  It  is' located  at  Washington,  and  is  managed  by  a 
Board  of  Regents,  composed  of  the  Yice-Presideut  of  the 
United  States,  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States,  the 
Mayor  of  Washington,  three  members  of  the  Senate,  and 
three  members  of  the  House  of  Representatives  ;  together 
with  six  other  persons.     The  Board  choose  their  own  offi- 
cers and  report   their  proceedings   to   Congress  at  each 
session  thereof. 

4.  In  order  to  carry  out  Mr.  Smithson's  noble  design  of 
founding  this  institution,  rooms  have  been  prepared  for  the 
reception  of  all  objects  of  art,  natural  history,  plants,  and 
geological   and  mineralogical   specimens   which  now  or 
hereafter  may  belong  to  the  United  States  ;    and  such  as 
may  hereafter  be  obtained.      These  are  classified   and 
arranged  so  as  to  facilitate  the  examination  and  study  of 
them.     A  vast  collection  has   already  been  obtained  and 
deposited  in  the  institution,  and  it  is  constantly  increasing 
by  donations,  by  the  researches  and  industry  of  its  pro- 
fessors, and  by  exchanges  made  with  kindred  institutions 
at  home  and  abroad.    These  are  open  to  the  examination 
of  the  public,  and  offer  an  opportunity  to  students  and 
others  to  extend  their  scientific  knowledge.   This,  together 
with  the  reports  of  its  professors,  of  experiments  and  new 
discoveries,  make  it  indeed  an  institution  "for  the  increase 
and  diffusion  of  knowledge  among  men." 


PATENT  ..OFFICE.  265 


CHAPTER  LXVn. 

Patent  Office,  Fatent  Rights,  and  Commissioner  of 
Patents: 

1.  THE  foundation  of  our  patent  laws  is  found  in  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States.     In  the  powers  it  con- 
fers on  Congress,  the  following  is  found,  "  To  promote  the 
progress  of  science  and  useful  arts,  by  securing  for  limited 
times  to  authors  and  inventors  the  exclusive  right  to  their 
respective  writings  and  discoveries."     On  this  authority, 
Congress  has  passed  numerous  acts  for  this  purpose.     We 
find  one  of  this  kind,  as  early  as  1790. 

2.  A  patent  right  is  an  exclusive  right,  granted  by  an 
officer  denominated  the  Commissioner  of  Patents,  in  con- 
formity to  law,  to  the  inventor  or  discoverer  of  any  new 
and  useful  article.      This  exclusive  right  is  conferred  by 
acts  of  Congress,  on  compliance  of  the  inventor  with  cer- 
tain  conditions  which  are  clearly  specified  in  the  law. 
The  evidence  that  such  exclusive  right  has  been  conferred 
on   any  individual,  is  contained  in  a  document,  called 
"  Letters  patent,"  issued  at  the  Patent  office  in  Washing- 
ton ;  signed  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  (formerly  by 
Secretary  of  State),  countersigned  by  the  Commissioner  of 
Patents,  and  sealed  with  the  seal  of  his  office.      Thus  pro- 
tected; he  alone  can  make  use  and  sell  the  article  he  has 
invented,  for  the  terra  of  14  years  ;  and  upon  showing  a 
good  reason  therefor,  the  Commisioner  will  extend   the 


2GG  OUTLINES  OF  U.   S.   GOVERNMENT. 

term  to  7  years  longer ;  or  Congress  will  pass  a  special  act 
for  that  purpose. 

3.  This   was  the  law  up  to  1861 ;  and  is  still  in  force  as 
to  patents    granted  anterior  to  that  date.     But  a  new  act 
was  then  passed,  extending  the  term  of  an  original  patent 
to  17,  instead  of  14  years,  and  prohibiting  any  extension 
of  such  patents. 

An  inventor,  before  he  can  obtain  a  patent,  must  swear, 
that  he  believes  that  he  is  the  inventor  or  discoverer 
of  the  art,  machine  or  improvement,  for  which  he  solicits 
a  patent.  He  must  also  give  in  writing  a  clear  and  minute 
description  of  it ;  and,  when  necessary,  must  make  and  de- 
liver a  model  of  his  invention ;  which  in  all  cases  must  bo 
something  new,  unused  and  unknown  before ;  or  his  appli- 
cation will  be  rejected.  There  is  considerable  expense 
attending  the  procurement  of  a  patent  right. 

4.  But  when  obtained,  no  person  except  the  patentee, 
has  any  right  to  make,  sell  or  use  the  article  patented, 
until  the  time  has  expired,  for  which  this  exclusive  right 
was  granted,  without  the  permission  of  the  patentee.   Any 
person  doing  so,  is  liable  to  a  heavy  penalty,  and  may  bo 
prosecuted  in  the  Circuit  Court  of  the  United  States;  this 
court  having  original  jurisdiction  in  all  cases  ai-ising  under 
the  patent  laws.     But  a  writ  of  error  or  an  appeal  lies  to 
the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States. 

5.  The  Patent  Office  when  first  established  was  a  Bureau 
of  the  State  department,  and  the  Commissioner  of  Patents 
acted  under  the  direction  of  the  Secretary  of  State.     But 
after  the  creation  of  the  Department  of  the  Interior,  in 
1849,  it  was  transferred  to  it,  became  a  Bureau  of  the  new 


PATENT    OFFICE.  2G7 

department,  and  the  Commissioner  now  acts  under  the 
general  direction  of  its  Secretary. 

THE   COMMISSIONER   OP   PATENTS 

6.  Is  appointed  by  the  President  and  Senate.      His  du- 
ties are  best  explained  in  the  language  of  the  law  itself, 
which  in  speaking  of  the  creation  and  appointment  of  this 
official,  says  that  his  duties  shall  be,  "  to  superintend,  exe- 
cute and  perform,  all  such  acts  and  things  touching  and 
respecting  the  granting  and  issuing  of  patents  for  new  and 
useful  discoveries,  inventions  and  improvements,  as  are 
herein  provided  for,  or  shall  hereafter  be,  by  law  directed 
to  be  done,  and  performed." 

He  has  the  charge  and  custody  of  all  books,  records, 
papers,  models,  machines,  and  all  other  things  belonging  to 
the  Patent  Office ;  and  has  the  privelege  of  sending  and 
receiving  letters  and  packages  by  mail,  relating  to  the  bu- 
siness of  the  office,  free  of  postage.  He  has  the  power 
to  appoint  his  clerks,  examiners  and  subordinates :  among 
whom  are  Patent  Office  agents,  who  may  be  appointed 
in  not  more  than  twenty  of  the  principal  cities  and  towns 
in  the  United  States.  It  is  their  duty  to  forward  to  the 
Patent  Office  all  such  models,  specimens,  and  manufac- 
tures, as  shall  be  intended  to  be  patented. 

7.  In  cases  of  appeal  from  the  decision  of  the  Commis- 
sioner, the  appeal  may  be  made  to  the  Board  of  Examin- 
ers, or  to  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  District   Court  of  the 
United  States  for  the  District  of  Columbia.  There  is  a  seal 
for  the  Patent  Office,  which  the  Commissioner  keeps,  and 
which  he  must  affix  to  patents  when  granted,  and  to  other 


268  OUTLINES  OF  U.   S.  GOVERNMENT. 

papers  and  records  issued  from  his  office,  which  are  wanted 
as  evidence  in  other  places. 

He  is  also  authorized  to  publish  a  classified  and  alpha- 
betical list  of  all  patents  issued  at  the  Patent  Office.  This 
he  frequently  does,  for  the  information  of  the  public. 


COPYRIGHTS.  269 


CHAPTER  LXVIII. 
Copyrights. 

1.  A  COPYRIGHT  is  an  exclusive  privilege  given  to  any  cit- 
izen of  the  United  States  to  print,  publish,  and  sell  any 
book,  map,  chart,  engraving,  or  musical  composition  of 
which  he  or  she  is  the  author.     This  right  is  given  by  the 
laws  of  Congress.      No  State  can  give  it.      The  object  of 
the  law  is  to  encourage  authors,  and  to  compensate  them 
fur  their  labors.     This  compensation  they  would  not  re- 
cicve  if  everybody  might  print  and  publish  their  produc- 
tions.     A  copyright  is  a  kind  of  property,  and  may  be 
sold  and  inherited  like  other  property. 

2.  A  compliance  with  the  laws  on  this  subject  is  neces- 
sary, however,  before  the  right  can  be  secured.     First,  the 
author  must  deposit  in  the  office  of  the  Clerk  of  the  United 
States  District  Court  of  the  district  in  which  he  resides,  a 
printed  copy  of  the  title  page  of  such  book,  map,  chart, 
&c.,    and   this   must  be   recorded   in  the   clerk's   office. 
Second,  within  three  months  after  the  publication  of  the 
book  or  other  work,  the  author  must  deposit  a  copy  of  it 
in  the  office  of  the  same  clerk.     Third,  he  must  also  give 
information  to  the  public,  by  causing  to  be  inserted  on  the 
title  page,  or  on  the  page  immediately  following  it,  the 
following  words,  viz.,  "  Entered  according  to  act  of  Con- 
gress, in  the  year        ,  by  A.  B.,  in  the   Clerk's  office   of 


270  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

the  District  of  ."     The  author  or  proprietor  is  also 

required  to  deposit  a  copy  of  his  work  iu  the  office  of  the 
Secretary  of  the  Interior  within  three  months  after  its 
publication. 

3.  When  all  these  legal  provisions  are  strictly  complied 
with,  the  author  receives  from  the  Department  of  the  In- 
.terior  his  letters — his  copyright — which  secures   to  him, 
his  heirs  or  assigns,  the  exclusive  right  to  print,  publish, 
and  sell  his  work  for  the   term   of  twenty-eight  years. 
And  if,  in  violation  of  this  right,  any  person  or  persons 
shall  print,  publish,  or  sell  the  work  thus  secured   to  the 
author,  he  or  they  may  be  prosecuted  for  damages  in  the 
Circuit  Courts  of  the  United  States,  which  courts  have  ex 
elusive  jurisdiction  in  these  cases,  with  right  of  appeal  to 
the  Supreme  Court. 

4.  The  penalty  for  printing  and   publishing  any  work 
for  which  a  copyright  "has  been  granted  within  twenty- 
eight  years  from  the  time  when  the  title  page  was  recorded, 
is  a  forfeiture  of  every  copy  thus  printed,  and  a  fine  of  50 
cents  for  every  sheet  found  in  his  possession.     One  half  of 
this  fine  is  paid  to  the  author,  and  the  other  to  the  United 
States.     But  the  suit  for  the  recovery  of  any  damage  done 
or  penalty  incurred  for  the   violation   of  the   copyright 
laws  must  be  brought  within  two  years  after  the  cause  of 
action  arose. 

5.  Up  to  1849  the  department  of  the  Secretary  of  State 
was  charged  with  the  duty  of  issuing  copyrights,  and  with 
all  other  things  pertaining  to  the  duty  of  Government  in 
securing  them  to  authors.     But  at  that  time  the  Depart- 
ment of  the  Interior  was  created,   and   this  business  was 
transferred  from  the  State  to  thia  department,   together 


COPYRIGHTS. 


with  all  the  books,  maps,  charts,   papers   and   documents 
relating  to  copyrights. 

Our  Government  is  not  peculiar  in  securing  this  right 
to  authors.  In  nearly  every  civilized  country  where  lit- 
erature is  cultivated  you  will  find  copyright  laws. 


272  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER    LXIX. 

PENSIONS,  COMMISSIONER  OF  PENSIONS,  PENSION  OFFICE  AND 
PENSION   AGENTS. 

1.  PENSIONS  are  annual  donations  in  money  made  by 
the  Government,  to  those  men  who  have  been  either  in 
the  Army  or  Navy  of  the  United  States,  and  who  have 
been  wounded  and  disabled  in  the  service  of  their  country. 
It  amounts  really  to  extra  pay,  over  and  above  the 
monthly  pay  of  an  officer,  soldier  or  sailor,  at  the  time 
the  wound  was  received.  It  has  cost  the  United  States 
millions  of  dollars  to  support  these  pensioners ;  for  there 
never  was  a  time,  since  the  establishment  of  the  Govern- 
ment, when  it  had  not  more  or  less  of  these  unfortunate 
men  to  provide  for,  by  money,  paid  from  the  United 
States  Treasury,  in  the  shape  of  pensions.  At  first  there 
were  the  disabled  soldiers  and  sailors  of  the  revolutionary 
war  to  be  provided  for,  immediately  after  the  govern- 
ment was  put  into  operation.  But  few  if  any  of  them 
remain.  Then  came  the  second  war  with  England,  called 
the  war  of  1812  (from  the  year  in  which  it  commenced) 
which  greatly  increased  the  number  of  pensioners.  Then 
the  war  of  1846-7  with  Mexico,  again  added  thousands  to 
the  pension  roll.  But  all  these  wars  put  together  never 
threw  so  many  men  on  the  Government  for  support,  or 
partial  support,  as  the  late  civil  war  between  the  North 


PENSIONS.  273 

and  South.  At  no  former  period  was  the  pension  list  so 
large  as  at  present.  It  will  remain  so  for  years  to  come ; 
requiring  an  appropriation  of  many  millions  annually  to 
aid  these  unfortunate  men  who  have  become  wholly  or 
partially  incapable  of  supporting  themselves.  These 
greatly  increase  the  expenses  of  the  Government,  and 
afford  a  forcible  comment  upon  the  evils  and  horrors  of 
war. 

2.  The  Pension  laws  not  only  provide  for  officers  and 
men,  who  have  been  disabled  by  wounds,  but  it  provides 
for  the  widows  and  orphan  children  of  such  as  have  been 
killed  in  battle,  or  died  of  sickness  contracted  while  in  the 
service  of  the  country.   These  provisions,  it  will  be  readily 
seen,  greatly  increase  the  number  of  pensioners  upon  the 
Government.     These  receive  the  same  in  amount  as  the 
husband  or  father  would  have  received  had  he  survived 
his  wounds. 

3.  It  is  not  intended  in  granting  a  pension  to  a  person 
to   give   him   a   full    support.      Pensions    are   moderate 
amounts,  generally  about  half  the  same  which  the  recipient 
received  at  the  time  he  was  wounded,  i.  e.,  about  half  his 
monthly  wages  when  in  the  army  or  navy.     Officers'  pen- 
fcions  are  graduated  according  to  their  rank. 

4.  From  what   has  already  been  said  on  this  subject,  it 
will  be  plainly  seen  that  it  requires  much  care,  labor,  and 
attention  to  keep  correctly  the  list  of  pensioners  upon  the 
Government,  and  to  detect  all  the  frauds  which  pension 
agents  and  other  interested  parties  may  perpetrate  upon 
it,  by  concealing  the  deaths  of  those  who  have  been  in  the 
receipt  of  pensions,  for  years  after  they  are  dead,  while 
they  continue  to  draw  their  money. 


274  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.    GOVERNMENT. 

5.  In  order  to  accomplish  this  benevolent  design  of  the 
Government,  a  Bureau  was  established  in  the  War  Depart- 
ment (since  transferred  to  the  Department  of  the  Interior) 
at  the  head  of  which  an  officer  denominated  the  Commis- 
sioner of  Pensions  is  placed.     This  Bureau  is  properly  the 
Pension  Office.     The  Commissioner  is  appointed  by  the 
President  and  Senate,and  holds  his  office  during  the  pleasure 
of  the  President.     It  was   his   duty  formerly,  under  the 
direction  of  the  Secretaries  of  War  and  the  Navy,  but 
now  under  the  supervision  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior, 
to  execute   all  such  duties   relating  to  pensions,  as  the 
President  shall  direct.     lie  is  charged  to  carry  out  all  the 
laws  in  relation  to  this  matter. 

6.  The   persons   entitled    to   pensions   are   necessarily 
scattered  all  over  the  States  and  Territories,  arid  many  of 
them  could  not  bear  the   fatigue  or  expense  of  making 
their    demands    at    Washington.      To    render   this  un- 
necessary, the  Secretary  of  War  is  authorized  to  appoint 
Pension  Agents  in  all  the  States  and  Territories.     These 
agents  receive  the  money  due  to  pensioners  in  the  district 
where  they  reside,  and  distribute  it  as  directed  by  the 
Commissioner  of  Pensions.     In  this  way  most  of  the  pen- 
sions are  paid — the  agents  receiving  a  percentage  for  their 
services. 

7.  It  is  not  the  intention  of  the  Government  to  give 
pensions  where  they  are  not  necessary  for  the  support  of 
the  recipient ;    and  when  it  is  ascertained  that  pensioners 
are  in  good  circumstances,  and  do  not  need  Government 
aid,  their  names  are  stricken  from  the  pension  roll. 

In  order  that  pensioners  shall  have  and  enjoy  the  full 
benefits  of  this  Government  bounty,  the  law  protects    the 


PENSIONS.  275 

pension,  and  does  not  allow  it  to  be  taken  away  from  the 
recipient,  by  any  process  of  law,  for  debt,  or  for  any  cause 
whatever. 

The  preceding  provisions  are  extended  not  only  to 
those  who  have  been  injured  in  some  of  the  great  wars, 
but  also  to  those  who  have  been  disabled  in  any  of  the 
Indian  wars,  of  which  we  have  had  many ,  and  which  we 
are  still  having. 


276  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  LXX. 

U.   S.    HOSPITALS   AND   ASYLUMS. 

1.  THE  Hospitals  and  Asylums  for  the  sick,  disabled, 
and  insane  in  any  country,  are  the  evidences  of  the  hu- 
manity, benevolence  and  Christian  charity  of  the  Govern- 
ment of  that  country ;  and  we  know  of  none,  in  ancient  or 
modern  times,  where  these  benevolent  institutions  exist  in 
greater   number,    or  with  greater  efficiency  than  in  the 
United  States.  They  have  been  established  by  the  general 
Government,  and  by  the  several  State  Governments ;  by 
charitable  societies,  and  by  individuals ;  not  only  for  the 
sick  and  infirm,  but  for  the  blind,  the  deaf,  the  insane  and 
the  idiotic.      We  do  not  propose  to  go  into  any  general 
history  or  description  of  these  institutions,  but  only  to  no- 
tice those  established  by  the  United  States   Government, 
and  now  under  its  control,  in  order  to   show  its  care  for 
those  who  have  served  their  country,   but  are  unable  to 
provide  for  their  wants. 

2.  The  Hospitals  and  Asylums  for  sick  and  disabled 
soldiers  and  seamen,  are  located  in  different  parts  of  the 
country  ;  and  in  such  places  as  are  the  most  accessible 
and  convenient  to  those  who  are  under  the  necessity  of 
retiring  to  these  places  of  refuge. 

The  United  States  have  established  four  kinds  of  these 


HOSPITALS    AND    ASYLUMS.  277 

institutions ;  principally  for  the  relief  of  their  soldiers  and 
seamen.     The  first  of  these  are  the 

MARINE    HOSPITALS. 

3.  These   are   located   near   important   sea  ports.     At 
these  places  seamen  depart  for,  and  arrive  from  their  voy- 
ages, and  are  found  in  the  greatest  numbers  j  and  here  the 
funds  for  the  support  of  the  Marine  Hospitals  are  collected, 
as  is  the  tonnage  upon  ships,  viz.,  by  the  collectors  of  the 
ports.     For  this  purpose,  the  law  authorizes  the  collectors 
of  customs  to  demand  and  receive  the  sum  of  twenty  cents 
per  month  from  the  wages  of  every  sailor ;    and  every 
master  of  a  vessel  is  obliged  to  render  to  the  Collector 
an  accurate  account  of  the  number  of  seamen  on  board 
his  vessel,  and  of  the  time  they  have  been  employed  by 
him,  since  his  last  entry  into  any  port  of  the  United  States. 
These  twenty  cents  the  captain  must  pay  the  collector ; 
but  he  is  allowed  to  deduct  it  from  each  seaman's  wages. 
In  this  manner  the  funds  for  the  building,  furnishing  and 
support  of  the  marine  hospitals  are  raised.     The  collectors 
of  the  ports  pay  them  into  the  United  States  Treasury, 
and  the  Treasurer  disburses  them  to   the  directors  of  the 
Hospitals  as  they  are  needed.    The  directors  are  appointed 
by  the  President.     They  appropriate  the  funds  and  have 
the  general  direction  and  management  of  the  institutions. 

4.  These  provisions  are   contained  in  an  act,  entitled 
"  Au  act  for  the  relief  of  sick  and  disabled  seamen,"  passed 
in  1798.     Seamen,  whether  in  the  merchant  service  or  in 
the  naval   service   of  the  United  States,  were  indiscrim- 
inately taxed  for  the  support  of  these  hospitals  ;  and  both 
had  the  same  rights,  privileges  and  benefits  in  them.   The 


278  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

money  thus  collected  from  seamen  is  called  "Hospital 
money,"  and  the  fund  is  denominated  "  the  Marine  Hos- 
pital Fund."  In  1864,  there  were  24  Marine  Hospitals  in 
the  United  States. 

NAVY    HOSPITAL. 

5.  In  1811,  an  act  was  passed  tp  establish  Navy  Hos- 
pitals, for  the  exclusive  use  of  such  seamen  as  belonged 
to  the  Navy.      This  new  institution  was  at  first  placed 
under   the   management   of   a  Board   of  Commissioners 
known  as  the  Commissioners  of  Navy  Hospitals.      This 
commission    consisted   of  the   Secretaries   of  the  Navy, 
Treasury  and  War.     But  in  1832  this  was  changed;  and 
the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  was  made  sole  trustee  of  the 
Navy  Hospital  Fund,  which  was  made  up  of  $50,000  ap- 
propriated by  Congress  for  that  purpose,  together  with 
twenty  cents  per  month  collected  from  seamen  belonging 
to  the  navy,  and  the  fines  imposed  on  navy  officers,  sea- 
men and  marines. 

6.  The  Commissioners  were  authorized  to  purchase,  or 
erect  suitable  buildings  for  Navy  Hospitals. 

We  need  not  go  further  in  our  remarks  upon  this  in- 
stitution, for  in  all  their  objects  and  purposes,  they  are  so 
similar  to  these  of  the  Marine  Hospitals  just  described, 
that  anything  further  would  be  little  more  than  repetition. 

MILITARY   ASYLUMS. 

7.  In  1851,  Congress  passed  an  act  for  the  establishment 
of  Military  Asylums,  for  the   purpose  making   the  same 
provisions  for  wounded  *and  disabled   soldiers  as  had  al- 
ready been  made  for  that  class  of  seamen.  These  institutions 


HOSPITALS    AND    ASYLUMS.  279 

are  located  in  different  sections  of  the  country ,\vhere  deemed 
most  eligible  and  convenient  for  those  who  need  such  a 
refuge.  They  are  placed  under  the  government  of  a 
Board  of  Commissioners,  consisting  of  the  General  in  Chief, 
and  eight  other  military  officers  of  high  rank,  who  submit 
their  acts  to  the  Secretary  of  War  for  his  approval. 

8.  The  officers  of  these  asylums  must  be  taken  from 
the  Army,  and  consist  of  a  Governor,  a  deputy  Govenor  and 
Secretary,  who  is  also  Treasurer.     The  funds  for  their  sup- 
port are  raised  by  a  tax  of  25  cents  per  month  on  the 
soldiers,  to   which    are  added   the  lines    and    penalties 
adjudged  against  soldiers  by  courts-martial,  with  forfeitures 
for  desertion,  &c. 

Persons  receiving  pensions  from  the  Government  may 
be  admitted  into  these  asylums  upon  condition  that  they 
surrender  their  pensions  to  the  use  of  the  institution  while 
they  remain  in  it. 

The  Commissioners  are  authorized  to  buy  sites  and 
buildings  for  these  institutions,  an^Tto  receive  donations 
of  them.  They  also  furnish  them  with  whatever  is  neces- 
sary for  the  comfort  of  the  inmates,  and  make  such  laws 
and  regulations  for  their  government  as  they  deem 
proper. 

Deserters,  mutineers,  and  habitual  durnkards,  are 
excluded  from  the  benefits  of  these  asylums. 

IN'SAXE    ASYLUM. 

9.  Among  these  benevolent  institutions  provided  by  a 
generous   Government    for  the  support  of  those  who  have 
faithfully  served  their  country,  the  Insane  Asylum  ought 
to  be  noticed.     The  title  of  this  establishment  is  "  The 


280  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

Government  Hospital  for  the  Insane."  Its  objects  are  the 
cure  and  kind  treatment  of  the  Insane  of  the  Army  and 
Navy,  and  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  It  is  under  the 
control  of  a  Board  of  nine  visitors,  all  of  whom  must  be 
citizens  of  the  said  District.  They  are  appointed  by  the 
President,  and  annually  report  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Interior,  the  state  and  condition  of  the  Asylum  and  its 
inmates.  They  serve  without  compensation. 

10.  But  the  Superintendent,  who  must  be  a  physician, 
receives  $2,000  per  annum  for  his  services.  There  is  a  farm 
attached  to  the  Asylum  which,  is  under  the  direction  of  the 
Superintendent,  who  receives  patients  upon  the  order  of 
the  Secretary  of  the  Army  or  Navy,  and  upon  the  order 
of  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior.     He  may  receive  indigent 
insane  persons   residing  in  the  District  of  Columbia.     If 
others  than  indigent  persons  are  admitted,  they  must  pay 
for  the   privilege,  a  sum   not  less   than  the  cost  of  their 
support. 

11.  The  foregoing  might  suffice  for  what  we   have  to 
gay  upon  these  Government  establishments,  because  it  in- 
cludes all  which  are  of  a  permanent  character,  all  that  are 
permanent  institutions,  designed  to  be  in  perpetual  opera- 
tion, and  very  different  from  the  military  hospitals  in  time 
of  war.      These    are  for    temporary   purposes,   and    are 
established    wherever    the    army    happens    to    be,    and 
especially  near  where  the  great  battles  have  been  fought, 
that    immediate   relief   may  be   given   to  the   sick  and 
wounded.     These  are  established  by  the  commanders  of 
the  army,  and  are  under  their  control,     And  here  let  it  be 
recorded  to  their  praise,  that  since  military  hospitals  were 


HOSPITALS     AND  ASYLUMS.  281 

known,  never  have  any  been  seen  which  for  order,  cleanli- 
ness and  efficiency  in  administering  to  the  comfort  and 
care  of  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  surpassed  those  of 
the  United  States  during  the  late  civil  war. 


282  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER    LXXI. 

COMMISSIONER  OF   PUBLIC    BUILDINGS. 

1.  THE  buildings   at   Washington    belonging    to   the 
United  States,  are  the  grandest,  the  largest  and  the  most 
expensive  in  the  country.   The  Capitol,  in  which  Congress 
meets,  is  the  largest  and   most   expensive  building  ever 
erected  on  the  continent,  and  is  surpassed  by  few  in  the 
world.      The  Treasury  building,  the  General  Post  Office, 
and  the  House  in  which  the  President  lives,  are  all  splen- 
did structures,  as  are  also  many  others   devoted  to  the 
transaction  of  public  business. 

2.  These  all  require  repairs,  alterations,  cai-e  and  over- 
eight,  that  they  may  be  preserved  and  kept  in  order. 
The  duty  of  superintendence  of  these  public  buildings  was 
formerly  placed  in  the  hands  of  three  Commissioners  and 
a  superintendent  of  public  buildings. 

But  in  1816,  an  act  was  passed  by  which  the  offices  of 
Superintendent  and  three  Commissioners  were  abol- 
ished, and  their  duties  all  put  into  the  hands  of  one  man, 
who  is  denominated  "  the  Commissioner  of  Public  Build- 
ings." He  is  appointed  by  the  President  and  Senate,  and 
can  hold  no  other  office  under  the  United  States.  He  must 
give  bonds  for  the  faithful  performance  of  his  duties  and 
must  reside  near  the  Capitol.  In  the  discharge  of  his  du- 


COMMISSIONER   OF   PUBLIC   BUILDINGS.         283 

tics  he  acts  under  the  direction  of  the  President,  and  the 
presiding  officers  of  the  two  Houses  of  Congress. 

3.  It  is  made  his  duty  to  report  to  Congress  at  the  com- 
mencement of  each  session,  the  manner  in  which  all  ap- 
propriations for  thj  public  buildings  have  been  applied, 
the  condition  they  are  in,  together  with  that  of  the  public 
grounds,  and  also  to  report  the  means  necessary  for  their 
preservation.  It  is  his  duty  to  take  charge  of  and  to  sup- 
erintend all  the  buildings  belonging  to  the  United  States 
in  Washington,  and  to  perform  all  such  duties  as  the  laws 
from  time  to  time  may  require  of  him. 


284  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  LXXII. 

CONGKESSIONAL   AOT   LAW  LIBRAET. 

1.  IN  the  Capitol,  there  is  a  large  library,  consisting  of 
two  parts ;  one  part  called  the  Congressional  library,  tlio 
other,  the  Law  Library.  The  latter  is  made  a  part  of  the 
former  by  an  act  of  Congress.  Both  are  subject  to  the 
same  laws  and  rules,  and  both  are  supported  by  appro- 
priations made  by  Congress.  This  institution  bearing  the 
title  of "  Congressional  Library,"  might  lead  to  the  sup- 
position that  it  was  established  for  the  exclusive  use  of 
Congress.  But  this  is  not  so.  Its  use  has  been  extended 
to  the  judges  of  the  Supreme  Court ;  to  all  the  heads  of 
departments,  to  the  Attorney  General  5  to  all  the  members 
of  the  Diplomatic  Corps,  (foreign  ministers) ;  to  the  Sec- 
retaiy  of  the  Senate,  to  the  Clerk  of  the  House  of  Kepresen- 
tatives,  to  the  Chaplains  of  Congress,  all  ex-Presidents 
and  to  the  solicitor  of  the  Treasury. 

2.  It  has  a  librarian, — appointed  by  the  President  and  Se- 
nate,— who  is  allowed  to  appoint  two  assistants.    No  book 
or  map  is  allowed  to  be  taken  out  of  the  library  by  any 
person,  except  the  President,  Vice-President,  members  of 
the  Senate  and  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 

3.  Here  are  kept  all  the  laws  which  have  ever  been  en- 
acted by  Congress,  together  with  a  record  of  all  its  pro- 
ceedings, the  laws  of  all  the  different  States,  with  many  of 


CONGRESSIONAL    LIBRARY.  285 

those  of  foreign  countries ;  also  a  large  collection  of  books 
on  promiscuous  subjects,  useful  to  members  of  Congress, 
and  to  those  who  have  to  administer  the  Government. 
Xo  where  else  can  so  complete  a  history  of  the  acts  and 
proceedings  of  the  Government  be  found,  as  in  the  Con- 
gressional Library  at  Washington. 

This  institution  dates  back  to  the  year  1800  ;  when  an 
act  was  passed  making  the  first  appropriation  of  $5,000 
for  its  establishment.  The  books  purchased  with  this 
$5,000,  with  those  belonging  to  both  Houses  were  placed 
together,  and  thus  this  library  was  commenced. 


286  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVE11NMENT. 


CHAPTER  LXXTIT. 
The  Official  Register. 

1.  CONGRESS  in  1816,  passed  an  act  authorising  and  re- 
quiring the  Secretary  of  State,  once  in  two  years,  to  print 
and  publish  a  book  called  "  The  Official  Register,"  in 
which  he  was  ordered  to  register  the  names  of  every 
officer  and  agent  of  the  Government,  in  the  civil,  military 
and  naval  departments,  including  cadets  and  midshipmen, 
together  ^nth  the  compensation  received  by  each  ;  the 
names  of  the  State  and  county  where  born  ;  and  the  name 
of  the  place  where  employed,  whether  at  home  or  abroad. 

To  the  list  of  persons  employed  in  the  navy  depart- 
ment, the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  is  required  to  subjoin  the 
names,  force  and  condition  of  all  the  ships  and  vessels 
belonging  to  the  United  States,  and  when  and  where 
bu;lt. 

This  work  has  been  published  and  distributed,  as  the 
law  directs,  ever  since  the  passage  of  the  act,  and  is 
sometimes  denominated  "  The  Blue  Book."  It  is  a  very 
convenient  and  useful  publication,  as  it  shows  in  compact 
form  the  whole  official  force  of  the  Government  in  each 
department,  together  with  the  cost  of  maintaining  it. 

So  small  a  number  of  this  work  is  published  that  but  few, 
except  officials,  ever  see  it.  It  can  be  found  in  the  Con- 
gressional Library  at  Washington,  where  25  copies  of 
each  edition  arc  deposited. 


GOVERNMENT   PRINTING  OFFICE.  287 


CHAPTER  LXXIV. 

THE   GOVERNMENT   PRINTING   OFFICE. 

1.  BUT  few   people    have  any  adequate   idea  of  the 
enormous  amount  of  printing  done  by  the  Government. 
All  the   proceedings   of  both   Houses   of  Congress   are 
printed ;    all   the   laws  are   printed ;     and   hundreds  of 
bills  which  are  never  passed  into  laws  are  printed.      The 
President's  messages,  and  all  the  reports  of  the  heads  of 
departments  and  Bureaus ;  the  reports  and  commissions  of 
Army  and  Xavy  officers,  of  investigating  committees,  of 
various   superintendents,   agents,    and   Government   em- 
ployees, and  a  multitude  of  other  things  quite  too  tedious 
to  enumerate,  are  all  printed  in  great  numbers, — often 
reaching  thousands  of  copies.     It   is   easily  understood, 
that  the  Government  printing  is  a  heavy  item  in  its  ex- 
penses ;  and  everybody  knows  it  is  much  heavier  than  it 
ought  to  be.     The  people  are  taxed  to  pay  for  mountains 
of  books  and  documents  that  are  never  read,  and  in  which 
the  public  feel  little  or  no  interest. 

2.  Until  1860,  the   Government  hired  men  to  do  this 
work,  and   a  printer  was  'employed  by  each  House   of 
Congress.     But  great  complaints  were  made  of  the  enor- 
mous expense  to  which  the  country  was  subjected  in  this 
item  of  its  expenditures;  and  at  the  date  named,  Congress 
passed  an  act  establishing  a  Government  printing  office, 


288  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

to  be  under  tlie  direction  of  a  superintendent  of  public 
printing.  The  sum  of  $150,000  was  appropriated  for  the 
purchase  of  the  necessary  buildings,  machinery,  and 
materials  for  the  purpose.  By  the  provisions  of  the  act  it 
was  made  the  Superintendent's  duty  to  overlook  all  the 
public  printing  and  binding,  not  only  of  Congress,  but  of 
all  the  departments,  and  of  the  United  States  Courts  ;  to 
purchase  all  necessary  materials  and  to  employ  all  the 
workmen  required.  And  that  Congress  may  know  how 
the  establishment  is  conducted  and  at  what  expense,  the 
Superintendent  is  required  to  report  to  Congress  at  the 
commencement  of  every  session,  the  work  done,  the  num- 
ber of  hands  employed,  and  the  exact  state  and  condition 
of  the  establishment.  He  is  prohibited  from  paying  more 
for  work  done  in  this  office  than  is  given  for  the  same 
services  in  private  printing  offices  in  Washington. 

3.  The  Superintendent  is  also  charged  with  the  duty  of 
procuring   all  blank  books,  maps,   drawings,   diagrams, 
views  and  charts,  which  may  be  ordered  by  Congress,  or 
by  the   heads    of  departments  and   bureaus.      But  the 
Superintendent  himself  is  not  left  to  act  always  as  he  may 
think  proper,  for  in  many  cases  he  must  have  the  approval 
of  the  joint  committee  on  printing  of  both  Houses  of  Con- 
gress. 

We  have  given  a  brief  but  comprehensive  view  of  this 
Government  establishment.  Whether  it  will  answer  the 
purposes  of  its  creation,  and  prove  to  be  a  means  of  saving 
to  the  Government,  remains  to  be  seen. 

4.  If  it  should  be  successful,  the  people  may  congratulate 
themselves  that  one  change  has  been  made  for  the  better, 
and  that  one  effort  to  curtail  taxation,  and  to  lessen  the 


GOVERNMENT   PRINTING    OFFICE.  289 

public  expenses,  has  been  accomplished.  Among  the 
causes  which  may  produce  the  overthrow  of  our  Govern- 
ment, few  are  more  dangerous  than  the  reckless  extrava- 
gance with  which  our  rulers  appropriate  and  spend  the 
public  monies,  seeming  to  ignore  or  forget  the  fact,  that 
extravagance  in  public  expenditures  falls  with  crushing 
weight  on  the  laboring  classes,  who  always  pay  directly 
or  indirectly  the  greater  portion  of  the  expenses  of 
Government. 


190  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  LXXV. 
Prisons. 

1.  ALTHOUGH  Congress  has  passed  laws  for  the  punish- 
ment of  almost  every  crime  which  has  ever  been  punish- 
able by  the  laws  of  any  civilized  nation,  and  has  pre- 
scribed various  kinds  of  punishment  for  different  crimes, 
such  as  fines,  imprisonment,  and  death  by  hanging, 
imprisonment  is  by  far  the  most  common.  Yet  we  find 
nothing  in  the  laws  to  show — nor  have  we  ever  known — 
that  the  United  States  have  ever  built  a  prison  or  directed 
one  to  be  built ;  although  thousands  have  been  put  in 
prison  for  violations  of  the  United  States  laws.  But  how 
is  this  done  when  they  have  no  prisons  ?  The  answer  is, 
that  they  use  the  prisons  of  the  States  wherever  they  will 
allow  it.  This  arrangement  between  the  general  and 
State  Government  has  been  made  in  nearly  if  not  all  the 
States ;  the  United  States  paying  for  the  support  of  their 
prisoners. 

2.  But  in  case  any  State  should  refuse  to  make  such  an 
agreement,  the  United  States  Marshal  of  any  district 
where  a  prisoner  is  to  be  confined,  is  authorized  to  pro- 
cure some  building  where  the  prisoners  may  be  safely 
confined  in  the  district  where  they  have  been  tried  and 
convicted,  or  where  they  have  been  arrested  and  are  helJ 
for  trial. 


PRISONS.  291 

This  is  a  far  more  economical  plan  than  it  would  be 
for  the  United  States  to  build  prisons  all  over  the  coun- 
try, and  then  to  employ  keepers  of  them.  It  exemplifies 
the  friendly  relations  existing  between  the  States  and  the 
General  Government. 


292  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER    LXXVI. 

Agricnlture. 

1.  IN  May,  18G2,   Congress  passed  an  act,    the  two 
first  sections  of  which  read  as  follows  : 

Sec.  1.  "  There  is  hereby  established  at  the  seat  of 
Government  of  the  United  States,  a  department  of  agricul- 
ture ;  the  general  designs  and  duties  of  which  shall  be  to 
acquire  and  diffuse  among  the  people  of  the  United  States, 
useful  information  on  subjects  connected  with  agriculture, 
in  the  most  general  and  comprehensive  sense  of  that  word, 
and  to  procure,  propagate  and  distribute  among  the  people 
new  and  valuable  seeds  and  plants." 

Sec.  2.  "There  shall  be  appointed  by  the  President, by 
and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate,  a  Com- 
missioner of  Agriculture,  who  shall  be  the  chief  executive 
officer  of  the  department  of  agriculture ;  who  shall  hold 
his  office  by  a  tenure  similar  to  that  of  other  civil  officers 
appointed  by  the  President,  and  who  shall  receive  for  his 
compensation  a  salary  of  three  thousand  dollars  per 
annum." 

2.  We  have  inserted  these  two  sections  of  this  law,  be- 
cause we    could   not    by  any   language    of    our    own, 
convey  any  better  idea  of  the  objects   and  purposes  for 
whic%  this  new  department  was  created.     In  the  language 
of  the  law  it  is  called  a  department,  but  as  its  head  ranka 


AGRICULTURE.  293 

no  higher  than  a  commissioner,  we  think  it  would  be  more 
properly  styled,  a  Bureau  of  the  Department  of  the 
Interior. 

3.  The  duties  of  the  head  of  this  bureau  are  to  acquire 
and  preserve  in  his  department,  all  the  information  concern- 
ing agriculture  which  he  can  obtain  by  means  of  books, 
correspondence  and  experiments.  For  this  latter  purpose  a 
propagating  garden  is  provided  for  his  use.  He  is  also  to 
collect  as  many  new  seeds  and  plants  as  he  is  able  to  ob- 
tain, to  test  their  value  by  cultivation,  and  then  to  dis- 
tribute them  among  agriculturists.  He  superintends  the 
expenditure  of  all  money  appropriated  by  Congress  to  the 
department,  and  reports  the  same  annually  to  Congress, 
together  with  his  acts,  experiments,  -&c. 

He  has  power  to  appoint  a  chief  clerk  and  such  other 
subordinates  as  Congress  may  deem  necessary.  The 
commissioner  and  his  chief  clerk  botli  give  bonds  for  the 
right  appropriation  of  all  monies  received  by  them,  and 
for  the  faithful  performance  of  their  respective  duties. 

This  bureau  is  yet  in  its  infancy.  Sufficient  time  lias 
not  elapsed  for  its  development  or  to  show  the  results  of 
its  experiments.  It  will  undoubtedly  become  an  import- 
ant and  useful  institution  hereafter. 


294  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER    LXXVII. 
Indians. 

1.  EVERT  one  acquainted  with  the  history  of  America, 
knows  that  when  first  discovered  by  Christopher  Colum- 
bus  in   1492,    the    whole  "Continent, — North,  as  well  as 
South, — was  peopled  with  Indians.     They  were  the  abori- 
gines, or  first  inhabitants  of  the  country ;  and  according 
to  the  recognized  rules  and   usages  of  the  world,  they 
were  the  owners  of  the  soil.      This  right  has  been  ad- 
mitted by  our  Government,  and  hence  we  have  purchased 
these  lands  at  such  prices  as  were  agreed  upon  by  the  two 
parties.      The  Indians  placed  a  lower  value  upon  them 
than  the  whites ;  for  with  the  exception  of  small  patches 
here    and    there,    which    they   cultivated   for   corn    and 
tobacco,  they  made  no  use  of  their  lands  except  for  hunt- 
ing grounds ;  while  the  whites  wanted  them  for  cultiva- 
tion.    In  this  way  the  whites  have  become  the  possessors 
of  nearly  all  the  land  once  owned  by  the  Indians,  whose 
possession s  are  HOAV  very  small. 

2.  Their  idle  habits,  their  frequent  wars  among  them- 
selves, and  the  wars  with  the  whites  growing  out  of  their 
murderous   propensities,   have    almost   exterminated  the 
whole  race.     There  is  now  but  a  small  remnant  left  of 
what  was — 200  years   ago- — a   mighty   host.      Many   of 
these  tribes  have  become  entirely  extinct,  others  are  nearly 


INDIANS.  295 

so  i  and  scarcely  one  of  them  is  found  whose  numbers  are 
not  greatly  diminished.  It  is  melancholy  to  contemplate 
the  fate  of  these  poor  savages.  As  nearly  as  can  be  as- 
certained, there  are  not  more  than  about  300,000  of  them 
left  in  the  [Tnited  States.  These  are  mostly  to  be  found 
west  of  >the  Mississippi  river,  and  stretching  thence  to  the 
shores  of  the  Pacific.  A  few  of  them  have  remained  among 
the  whites,  and  become  civilized.;  but  most  of  them  have 
kept  aloof  from  civilization,  preferring  their  wandering 
habits,  and  relying  on  hunting  and  fishing  for  subsistence. 
They  do  not  admit  themselves  to  be  citizens  of  our 
Government,  neither  do  we  claim  them  as  such,  nor  do  we 
exercise  any  jurisdiction  or  authority  over  them,  except 
for  the  perpetration  of  crimes.  We  treat  them  as  foreign- 
ers,— not  as  citizens ; — and  hence  we  make  treaties  with 
them  as  we  do  with  foreign  nations. 

8.  Our  treaties  with  them  have  related  principally  to 
the  purchase  of  lands  and  to  stipulations  of  amity  and 
friendship  between  us.  But  they  are  sometimes  treacher- 
ous, and  do  not  act  towards  us  as  they  have  agreed  to  do. 
This  has  led  to  a  number  of  wars  between  us  and  them  ; 
the  fault  of  which  has  not  always  been  on  the  side  of  the 
Indians.  The  whites  have  often  treated  them  badly ; 
have  often  cheated  them,  and  killed  them ;  and  this  has 
led  to  some  of  the  wars  we  have  mentioned 

4«  The  preceding  remarks  might  have  been  omitted  in 
a  work  of  this  kind ;  had  they  not'  seemed  to  be  appro- 
priate as  an  introduction  to  the  notice  we  oiight  to  take 
of  the  numerous  treaties  with  the  Indians,  the  officers 
and  agents  of  the  Government,  in  making  and  carrying 


296  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

out  those  treaties,  and  of  the  numerous  laws  passed  by 
Congress  in  relation  to  Indians  and  Indian  affairs. 

5.  The  Indians  are  unlearned,  ignorant  and  barbarous. 
It  has  required  a  great  deal  of  wisdom  and  good  man- 
agement on  the  part  of  the  Government,  to  keep  on  good 
terms  with  them,  and  to  prevent  them  from  murdering  the 
whites,  or  from  stealing  their  property,  where  they  have 
settled  near  them.     The  United  States  have  also  restrained 
our  own  citizens  from  purchasing  their  lands,  from  trading 
with  them,  and  especially  from  selling  them  intoxicating 
liquors,  of  which  they  are  very  fond.     If  these  negotiations 
were  allowed  between  them  and  the  whites,  the  Indians 
would,  in  numerous  instances,  be  overreached,  and  cheated 
by  unscrupulous  and  dishonest  white  men.     This  would 
lead  to  murders  and  wars,  for  an  Indian  seems  to  have  no 
idea  of  redress  for  a  wrong  done  to  him,  other  than  that  of 
killing  the  wrong  doer.      The  Government,  through  its 
agents,  buys  their  lands,  and  pays   them  in  money  or  in 
goods,  according  to  the  terms  of  the  treaty.     Hence,  the 
necessity  of  Government  officers  appointed  to  execute  the 
laws  relating  to  Indians  and  Indian  affairs. 

6.  There  is  in  the  War  _Department  a  Bureau   for  this 
express  purpose,  the  head  of  which  is  called  the 

COMMISSIONER    OF   IXDIAN    AFFAIRS. 

He  is  appointed  by  the  President  and  Senate,  and  performs 
his  duties  under  the  direction  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 

In  addition  to  this  officer,  there  are  superintendents  of 
Indian  affairs,  and  Indian  agents,  over  whom  the  superin- 
tendents exercise  a  directing  power.  These  superintend 


INDIANA.  297 

encies  and  agencies  are  not  permanent  establishments,  but 
are  continued  as  long  as  any  considerable  number  of 
Indians  remain  near  the  agency.  When  they  have  sold 
their  lands  and  removed  farther  west,  the  agency  is  dis- 
continued, or  removed  to  the  place  where  the  Indians  have 
located  themselves. 

The  President  may  discontinue  any  Indian  agency  when- 
ever he  thinks  it  expedient  to  do  so. 

7.  The  Bureau  of  Indian  Affairs,  we  have  said,  was 
attached  to  the  War  Department,  but  after  the  establish- 
ment of  the   Department  of  the  Interior,  in  1849,  it  was 
detached  from  the  War  Department  and  attached  to  that 
of  the  Interior,  the  Secretary  of  which  exercises  supervis- 
ory power  over  it. 

8.  As  before  stated,  the  Indians  are  not  citizens  of  the 
United  States.     They  have  no  representatives  in  Congress, 
and  in  adjusting  the  mimber  of  representatives  to  Avhich 
any  State  is  entitled  from  the  number  of  its  inhabitants, 
the   Indians  (excepting    a   few  who  are   taxed)   are  not 
counted.     The  Government  has  exercised  parental  care 
over  them  in  endeavors  to  prevent  them  from  warring  upon 
each  other,  and  to  induce  them  to  adopt  the  habits  of 
civilized  life ;  in  the  payments  made  for  their  lands,  in  the 
pains  it  has  taken  to  furnish  them  Avith  agricultural  and 
mechanical  implements;  in  the  employment  of  mechanics 
and  teachers  to  reside  among  them  and  to  instruct  them  in 
science  and  the  mechanical  arts.     It  also  employs  inter- 
preters, for  but  few  of  them  can  speak  the  English  lan- 
guage. 

9.  The  superintendents  and  agents,  if  so  directed  by  the 
President,  make  treaties  of  amity  and  friendship  with  them, 


298  OUTLINES  OF  U.   S.  GOVERNMENT. 

and  for  the  purchase  of  their  lands.  The  Government 
does  not  allow  citizens  or  foreigners  to  reside  among  them 
or  to  trade  with  them,  without  a  license ;  and  for  the  pur- 
pose of  keeping  on  friendly  terms  with  them,  it  often 
makes  valuable  presents  of  such  articles  as  they  need. 

10. .  Superintendents  and  agents  are  appointed  for  four 
years ;  give  bonds  for  the  faithful  performance  of  their 
duties,  and  report  and  account  to  the  Department  of  the 
Interior  for  the  money  and  goods  paid  to  and  distributed 
among  the  Indians. 

INDIAN   FUXDS   AXD   INDIAN    ANNUITIES. 

11.  In  order  to  prevent  them  from  squandering  their 
money  for  rum  and  useless  trinkets,  and  to  save  them  from 
being  cheated  by  dishonest  traders,  the  United  States 
Government  have  invested  the  money  paid  for  their  lands, 
in  sound  and  safe  stocks  and  annually  pay  them  the  in- 
terest through  its  superintendents  and  agents.  The 
disbursement  of  this  interest,  called  Indian  annuities, 
among  the  different  tribes  and  individuals  to  whom  it  be- 
longs, is  an  important  part  of  the  duties  of  these  Govern- 
ment agents. 


PASSPORTS.  299 


CHAPTER  LXXVIII. 
Fassports. 

1.  PASSPORTS  are  one  of  the  devices  or  means  used  by 
Governments  to  protect  their  citizens  when  in  foreign 
countries.  They  are  written  documents,  issued  and  signed 
by  an  authorized  agent  of  the  Government  which  gives 
them.    The  design  of  a  passport  is,  First ;  to  give  authen- 
tic information  to  whom  it  may  concern,  to  what  nation 
the  Leaver  of  the  passport  belongs ;  and  second,  to  protect 
him,  and  to  secure  to  him  all  the  rights  and  privileges 
which  the  Government  has  a  right  to  claim  for  its  citizens 
by  virtue  of  any  treaty  of  amity  and  friendship  existing 
between  it  and  the  country  whither  its  citizens  may  go. 

The  passport  informs  the  world  that  the  bearer  of  it  is  a 
citizen  of  the  United  States,  and  that  he  travels  under 
its  protection,  and  that  it  would  demand,  and  exact,  satis- 
faction of  any  one  who  wronged  or  injured  him  who  bears 
such  credentials. 

2.  In  the  United  States,  the  Secretary  of  State  is  the 
officer  authorized  by  law  to  issue  passports.      He  has  the 
authority  also  to  cause  them  to  be  issued  in  foreign  coun- 
tries by  our  Foreign  Ministers  and  Consuls,  under  such 
restrictions  and  rules  as  maybe  designatedby  the  President. 
This  is  allowed  as  a  matter  of  convenience  to  our  citizens 
who  happen  to  be  in  foreign  countries  without  them; 


300'  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

who  need  their  protection,  and  who  would  be  subjected 
to  much  delay  and  expense,  by  going  or  sending  home,  to 
to  procure  them. 

Passports  are  not  granted  to  any  other  than  citizens  of 
the  United  States,  whether  issued  by  the  Secretary,  or  by 
any  diplomatic  or  consular  agent  of  our  Government. 

3.  Besides  these  passports,  which  are  given  only  to  our 
own  citizens  when  in  foreign  countries,  or  who  intend  to 
go  there,  there  is  another  kind  issued  to  foreigners  -who 
wish  to  go  among  the  Indians  in  the  Indian  Territory,  or 
on  the  Indian  reservations,     Indeed  our  own  citizens  are 
not  allowed  to  go  among  them  without  permission.      But 
foreigners  cannot  go  without  a  passport  from  the  Secre- 
tary of  "War ;  which  specifies  the  route  over  which  the 
bearer  must  pass,  and  the  length  of  time  he  is  allowed  to 
remain  among  them.     This  is  done  to  prevent  unfriendly 
foreigners  from  fomenting  mischief,  or  from  exciting  un- 
kind feelings  towards  our  Government  or  people.      Such 
unfriendly  feelings  have  been  created  by  foreigners,   and 
we  have  often  experienced  the  bitter  fruits  of  it,  espe- 
cially in  times  of  war. 

4.  Still  another  kind  of  passports  is  used  in  this  country, 
and  should  be  noticed  under  this  head.     They  are  pass- 
ports for  American  ships  or  vessels.      When   they   are 
about  to  sail  for  a  foreign  port,  the  laws  of  the  United 
States  require  each  to  procure  one,  under  a  penalty  or 
fine  of  two  hundred  dollars  upon  the  master,  if  lie  departs 
from  the  United  States  for  a  foreign  country   (other  than 
some  port  in  America),  without  it.     The  passport  is  pre- 
pared by  the  Secretary  of  State  and  is  approved  by  the 


PASSPORTS.  301 

President.  This  is  given  to  the  master  by  the  collector  ol 
the  port  from  which  the  vessel  sails,  and  is  one  of  the  ship's 
papers,  by  which  her  nationality  is  known,  and  her  pro- 
tection shown  to  be  that  of  the  United  States, 


302  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  LXXIX. 

Reports. 

1.  As  Congress  is  the  law  making  power  of  the  Govern- 
ment and  legislates  for  every  department  thereof,  assign- 
ing such    business  to  each   as  it   deems   proper,  giving 
directions,  and  prescribing  the  duties  of  all  the  Govern- 
ment   officials,    agents,    commissioners    and    employees, 
nothing  is  more  obviqus  than  that  it  should  be  kept  well 
informed    and  advised  of  what  has   been   done  in  each 
department  and  bureau  ;  and  by  every  head,  or  principal 
officer  and  agent  of  the  Government  wherever  employed. 
And  for  this  purpose,  it  is  enacted,  that  the  Secretaries  of 
State,  Treasury,  "War,  Navy,  Interior,   and  Post-master 
General,     together    with     the     commissioners     of    the 
different  bureaus,  and  boards  attached  to  these  depart- 
ments,   shall    annually   report  to    Congress.      Heads   of 
departments  report  directly  to  Congress.     So  do  many  of 
the  commissioners  who  are  at  the  head  of  bureaus.    Boards 
report  to  the   heads  of  departments  to  which   they  are 
attached. 

2.  In  this  way  Congress  is  kept  advised  of  whatever  is 
done  in  every  department,  bureau,  or  board,  to  which  any 
of  the  public  business  is  entrusted.     These  reports    net 
only  furnish  the  law-making  power  with  such  information 
as  it  needs,  but  serves  as  a  check  to  any  official  miscon- 


REPORTS.  303 

duct.  The  annual  reports  of  the  Secretaries  of  the 
Treasury,  "War,  and  Navy,  together  with  that  of  the  Post- 
master General,  are  State  papers  which  rank  in  importance 
next  to  the  annual  message  of  the  President.  To  them 
the  people  look  for  a  detailed  account  of  the  state  and 
condition  of  those  great  departments  over  which  these 
Secretaries  preside,  and  which  so  materially  affect  the 
pecuniary  and  other  great  interests  of  the  nation. 

3.  The  foregoing  remarks  upon  reports,  may  not  be 
considered  of  sufficient  importance  to  deserve  an  insertion 
here,  but  they  throw  some  light  upon  the  movements  of 
the  machinery  by  which  the  Government  is  operated,  and 
show  how  officials  are  held  responsible  to  the  superior 
power. 

In  this  connection  we  may  notice  another  kind  of  re- 
ports, which  come  from  another  source.  After  each 
Congress  has  convened  and  organized,  the  President  of  the 
Senate,  and  the  Speaker  of  the  House,  appoint  what  are 
denominated  the  Standing  Committees  of  each  of  these 
bodies. 

When  bills  are  presented  to  be  passed  into  laws,  or 
petitions  are  sent  in,  they  are  always  referred  to  the  ap- 
propriate committee,  which  examine  them  and  then  report 
to  the  body  (of  the  Senate  or  House)  their  conclusions  upon 
the  merits  or  demerits,  propriety  or  impropriety,  of  grant- 
ing the  petition,  or  of  passing  the  bill  under  consideration. 

These  reports  generally  govern  the  action  of  Congress 
when  they  come  to  vote  upon  the  passage  of  the  law.  But 
this  is  not  always  the  case,  the  body  of  cither  house  may 
think  differently  from  its  committee  and  act  contrary  to 
its  recommendations. 


304  OUTLINES  OF  IT.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER    LXXX. 
Commissioners. 

1.  IN  the  history  and  laws  of  the  United  States,  the 
word  Commissioners  occurs  so  frequently,  that  it  may  add 
something  to  the  utility  of  our  work  to  make  a  few  re- 
marks about  them,  to  show  their  relations  to  the   Govern- 
ment,  when    acting    either  in  permanently   established 
official  positions,  or  as  temporary  agents. 

In  the  first  place,  they  act  as  heads  of  bureaus  in  the 
various  departments.  These  bureaus,  with  their  Commis- 
sioners at  their  heads,  are  permanent  sub-departments  and 
officials  of  the  Government,  established  and  provided  for 
by  law  5  such  are  the  Commissioners  of  the  Land  office, 
Patent  Office,  Pension  Office,  &c.,  &c. 

2.  In  the  second  place,  they  can  hardly  be  considered 
officers,  but  rather  temporary  or  special  agents.      In  the 
imiltifai'ious  duties  devolving  upon  Congress,  the  Presi- 
dent, and  all  the  departments,  it  not  unfrequently  hap- 
pens that  it  is  impracticable  for  them  to  do  certain  things, 
necessary  to  be  done.     The  business  to  be  transacted  may 
be  at  a  great  distance  from  the  capitol,  even  in  a  foreign 
country.  In  these  cases  Commissioners  are  appointed  to  do 
such  business.     They  have  been  appointed  to  negotiate  a 
peace,  to  make  treaties  of  various  kinds  between  us   and 
other  powers,  and  to  negotiate  with  the  Indians  for  the 


COMMISSIONERS.  305 

purchase  of  their  lands.  The  United  States  courts  ap- 
point them  to  take  bail,  or  to  take  testimony  to  be  used 
on  trials,  and  to  do  various  other  things  necessary  in  trials 
and  proceedings  before  them. 

Congress  frequently  appoints  commissioners  to  obtain 
information,  or  to  investigate  some  matter  on  which  they 
expect  to  legislate.  In  all  cases  they  must  report  their 
proceedings,  either  to  Congress,  to  the  President,  or  to 
the  head  of  the  department  under  whose  instructions  they 
act.  Permanent  commissioners  report  once  a  year,  or 
oftener  if  required,  that  Congress  may  know  the  condi- 
tion of  affairs  in  their  respective  bureaus.  Special  Com- 
missioners, after  they  have  performed  the  work  assigned, 
make  their  report ;  after  which  their  duties  cease,  and  their 
commission  comes  to  an  end. 

3.  The  foregoing  may  be  thought  too  simple  and  too 
well  understood  to  require  any  description.      This  is  so, 
as  it  regai'ds  intelligent  adults ;  but  it  should  be  borne  in 
mind,  that  these  pages  are  written  with  special  reference 
to  the  youth  of  the  country,  who  do  not  understand  them. 

It  should  be  added  that  the  lowest  grade  of  diplomatic 
agents,  who  represent  our  Government  to  some  of  the 
most  inferior  powers,  are  called  Commissioners.  "We  are 
thus  represented  at  the  present  time  in  the  Republics  of 
Ilayti  and  Liberia. 

4.  By  recent  acts  of  Congress,  the  powers  of  Commis- 
sioners in  some  cases  have  been  enlarged.      They  now  ex- 
amine persons  charged  with  crimes  against  the  laws  of  the 
United  States ;  hold  them  to  bail,  discharge  them,  or  com- 
mit them  to  prison ;  and  do  other  magisterial  acts,  pre- 
liminary to  the  trial  of  the  accused.    When  acting  in  such 
cases  they  are  clothed  with  some  of  the  pOAvers  of  a  court. 


306  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  LXXXI. 

Religion. 

1.  THE  people  of  the  United  States  glory  in  the  fact 
that  in  their  country  there  is  no  religion  established  by 
law,  as  in  England,  and  several  other  countries.  Where 
this  is  the  case,  no  other  than  the  one  established  by  law 
is  tolerated ;  or  if  tolerated,  special  favors  and  benefits  are 
conferred  on  the  national  church,  at  the  expense  of  all 
others. 

"We  enjoy  complete  religious  freedom,  and  probably 
always  shall.  The  constitution  guarantees  this,  in  the 
following  words; — "  Congress  shall  make  no  law  respect- 
ing an  establishment  of  religion,  or  prohibiting  the  free 
exercise  thereof." 

In  another  place  it  says,  "  That  no  religious  test  shall 
ever  be  required  as  a  qualification  to  any  office,  or  public 
trust,  under  the  United  States." 

What  power  in  a  few  words  !  These  words  in  our  con- 
stitution have  been,  and  will  be  of  inestimable  value,  to  our 
country ;  for  they  have  greatly  increased  its  population  and 
wealth.  This  feature  of  our  Government  has  caused  thou- 
sands to  immigrate  to  the  United  States,  where  they  will 
neither  be  persecuted  nor  taxed,  to  support  a  church  in 
which  they  do  not  believe.  Everybody  is  left  to  worship 
when  and  where  and  as  he  pleases.  This  is  called  relig- 


RELIGION.  SOT 

ious  liberty,  and  is  as  it  ought  to  be.  True  Christianity 
never  required  the  support  of  the  State  ,  and  where  it  has 
been  given,  it  has  invariably  been  corrupted.  "We  hope  the 
day  is  not  far  off,  when  every  government  on  earth  will 
follow  our  example  in  this  respect. 


308          OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  LXXXII. 

Proclamations . 

1.  A  PROCLAMATION  is  an  official  notice  given  by  one 
high  in  authority,  for  the  purpose  of  giving  reliable  and 
authoritative  information  to  the  people,  that  something 
has  been  done,  or  will  soon  be  done,  which  is  important  for 
them  to  know,  that  they  may  act,  or  refrain  from  acting  ac- 
cording to  the  information  contained  in  the  proclamation. 
These  proclamations  are  made  known  to  the  country 
through  the  best  and  most  extensive  channels  of  information 
that  can  be  used  for  conveying  intelligence  to  everybody 
in  the  realm.  In  our  day,  and  in  our  country,  the  news, 
papers  are  the  best  means  that  can  be  used  for  this  purpose. 
But  in  ancient  times,  and  before  the  art  of  printing  was 
known,  SAvift  riders  or  runners  were  dispatched  to  every 
part  of  the  kingdom  or  country  over  which  the  proclama- 
tion was  to  be  made  known.  These  messengers  carried  it 
with  them,  and  proclaimed  it  in  the  ears  of  all  the  people. . 
We  have  made  these  general  remarks  about  proclama- 
tions for  the  purpose  of  introducing  the  following  obser- 
vations upon  those  official  papers  so  often  issued  by  the 
President,  and  also  by  the  Governors  of  the  respective 
States.  These,  as  above  stated,  are  for  the  purpose  of  giv- 
ing important  information  to  the  people.  It  is  now  the 
custom  of  the  Executive  to  designate  some  day  selected 


PROCLAMATIONS.  309 

by  him  as  a  day  of  thanksgiving,  recommending  the  day 
to  be  observed  in  a  religious  manner,  in  acknowledgment 
of  God's  favors  to  us  as  a  nation.  This  is  made  known  to  the 
people  by  a  proclamation  of  the  President.  A  day  of 
fasting  and  prayer  is  sometimes  designated  and  proclaimed 
in  the  same  way.  Important  changes  in  the  commercial 
affairs  between  us  and  some  foreign  country  ai-e  mada 
known  by  the  same  method. 

3.  A  memorable  proclamation  was  made  by  President 
Lincoln,  in  18G2,  by  which  he  made  known  to  the  country, 
and  especially  to  the  Southern  States,  that  if  they  con- 
tinued their  war  against  the  United  States  for  one  hundred 
days  after  its  issuance,  he  would  then,  in  virtue  of  his 
authority  as  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Army  and  Navy, 
liberate  the  slaves  in  all  the  seceded  States.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  the  time,  which  was  on  the  first  of  January,  1863,  he 
issued  another  proclamation,  in  and  by  which,  he  did  eman- 
cipate all  the  slaves  in  every  State  Avhich  had  rebelled 
against  the  United  States  Government. 

The  blockading  of  our  ports  at  the  commencement  of 
the  civil  war,  and  the  imposition  of  an  embargo  upon  our 
shipping,  previous  to  the  last  war  with  England,  were 
both  subjects  which  brought  out  proclamations  from  the 
President  who  then  filled  the  Executive  Chair. 
.  4.  The  above  examples  show  the  character  of  cases 
which  cause  proclamations  to  be  issued.  In  some  instan- 
ces they  have  the  authority  of  law ;  in  others  they  are 
merely  recommendations  ;  and  in  others  they  only  commu- 
nicate important  intelligence  in  regard  to  our  public  affairs 
at  home  or  abroad. 


SIO  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  LXXXIII/ 
Treason. 

1.  WE  do  not  propose  in  this  work  to  treat  of  crimes 
generally.    But  treason,  which  is  a  great  crime,  and 
which  aims  at  the  existence,   or  at  the  pca'ie  of  the 
Government,  may  with  propriety  be  briefly  noticed  in 
a  work  of  this  kind. 

The  Constitution  itself  defines  treason  in  these  words 
(see  article  3,  section  3)  :  "  Treason  against  the  United 
States  shall  consist  only  in  levying  war  against  them, 
or  in  adhering  to  their  enemies,  giving  them  aid  and 
comfort."  Then  an  act  of  Congress,  passed  on  the 
30th  of  April,  1790,  approved  and  signed  by  Washing- 
ton, again  defines  it  in  nearly  the  same  words,  and 
makes  the  penalty  therefor  to  be  death  by  hanging. 

2.  By  another  act  passed  17th  July,  1862,  it  was  made 
discretionary  with  the  court  trying  the  case  to  put  the 
offender  to  death,  or  to  imprison  him  for  not  less  than 
five  years,  and  to  fine  him  for  a  sum  not  less  than  ten 
thousand  dollars.     The  penalty  for  this  crime,  even  in  its 
mildest  form,  is  very  severe  ;  thus  showing  how  atrocious 
this  offence  is  considered. 

3.  None  but  a  person  owing  allegiance  to  the  United 
States  can  commit  treason  against  them.      The  same 


TREASON.  311 

acts  which  would  be  treason  in  a  citizen  would  not  be 
treason  if  perpetrated  by  a  foreigner. 

"Misprision  of  treason"  is  the  concealment  of  it  by  a 
person  who  knows  it  has  been  committed.  This  also  is 
a  grave  offence,  and  is  punishable  by  a  seven  years'  im- 
prisonment, and  a  fine  not  exceeding  one  thousand  dol- 
lars. 

4.  Any  person  tried  for  treason,  must  be  indicted  by 
a  grand  jury ;  and  then  tried  by  a  petit  jury  in  the  Cir- 
cuit Court  of  the  United  States  within  three  years  after 
the  crime  has  been  committed  ;  otherwise  it  is  barred 
by  limitation — or,  in  other  words,  outlawed. 


312  OUTLINES   OF    U.    S.    GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  LXXX1Y. 
Impeachment. 

1.  IN  the  second  article,  section  four,  of  the  Constitu- 
tion, these  words  are  found  :  "The  President,  Vice- 
President,  and  all  civil  officers  of  the  United  States, 
shall  be  removed  from  office  on  impeachment  for,  and 
conviction  of,  treason,  bribery,  or  other  high  crimes  and 
misdemeanors." 

2.  Impeachment  is  a  procedure  against  office-holders 
only,  for  the  purpose  of  removing  them  from  office.     It 
inflicts  no  other  punishment ;  but  the  guilty  party  may 
afterwards  be  prosecuted  for  his  crime  in  a  court  of 
law,  and  punished  in  such  a  manner  as  the  law  directs. 

3.  The  Constitution  gives  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives the  sole  power  of  impeachment.     Its  action,  how- 
ever, is  not  final.     Its  proceeding  in  cases  of  impeach- 
ment are  analagous  to  an  indictment  by  a  grand  jury. 

It  simply  charges  that  the  official  has  committed  a 
crime  for  which  he  should  bo  tried,  and  removed  from 
office  if  found  guilty. 

4r.  The  Senate  alone  has  the  power  to  try  the  accused 
party.  When  trying  a  case  of  impeachment  it  acts  as 
a  court,  and  from  its  decision  there  is  no  appeal.  The 
President  cannot  pardon  a  criminal  who  has  been  im- 
peached. When  the  President  of  the  United  Stale*  is 


IMPEACHMENT.  2  313, 

tried,  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  presides, 
but  iu  no  other  ease.  No  person  can  be  convicted  in  a 
trial  of  impeachment,  unless  two-thirds  of  the  Senate 
concur  in  finding  the  accused  guilty  of  the  alleged 
offence. 


314  OUTLINES  OP  U.  8.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  LXXXV. 
Missouri  Compromise. 

1  WE  should  not  devote  a  chapter  to  this  subject  any 
more  than  we  should  to  hundreds  of  other  acts  of  Congress 
which  need  not  be  noticed  in  a  work  of  this  kind,  but  for 
the  fact  that  few,  if  any,  acts  passed  by  that  body,  have 
caused  so  many  comments  or  so  much  political  discussion 
as  this.  It  may  therefore  be  both  interesting  and  useful  to 
state  what  the  Missouri  Compromise  was,  what  its  objects 
were,  and  how  it  came  to  be  repealed. 

2.  The  act  containing  what  has  long  been  denominated 
the  Missouri  Compi-omise  was  passed  on  the  Cth  day  of 
March,  1820.     The  object  of  the  act  was  the  admission  of 
the  State  of  Missouri  into  the  Union.     The  Compromise 
was  inserted  in  one  of  its  sections,  was  proposed  by  Henry 
Clay  of  Kentucky,   and  was  designed  to  reconcile  a  high 
dispute  between  the  members  of  Congress  on  the  question, 
"  Shall  Missouri  be  admitted  as  a  free  or  a  slave  State  ?" 

3.  It  was  admitted  as  a  slave  State,  but  upon   the  con- 
dition (proviso),  that  in  none  of  the  Territory  of  the  United 
States  lying  north  of  the  line  of  36  degrees  and  30  minutes 
north  latitude  should  slavery  ever  be  allowed.      This  pro- 
viso was    denominated   a   Compromise ;   because   it   was 
designed  to  settle  the  vexed  question  as  to  how  far  north- 
ward slavery  should  be  allowed  to  extend. 


MISSOURI   COMPROMISE.  o!5 

4.  It  was  called  the  "  Missouri  Compromise,"  simply 
because  it  was  incorporated  in  the  act  of  Congress  which 
admitted    that  State  into  the    Union.      It    remained    in 
existence  until  the  year  1854,  thirty-four  years.      Dur- 
ing all  that  period  it  was  looked  upon  as  a  permanent 
settlement  of  the  boundary  line  between  free  and  slave 
Territory. 

The  repeal  of  this  act  was  strongly  opposed  by  those 
who  objected  to  the  extension  of  slavery.  It  caused  a 
great  deal  of  political  excitement,  and  was  immediately 
followed  by  the  troubles  in  Kansas,  where  the  contest 
between  those  who  wanted  that  State  to  come  in  free, 
and  those  who  wanted  it  to  be  a  slave  State,  ran  so  high 
as  to  cause  not  only  great  political  commotion,  but  even 
bloodshed,  and  civil  war  between  the  contestants  in  that 
then  new  Territory.  Kansas  remained  a  Territory  until 
January,  1861,  when  it  was  admitted  as  a  State. 

5.  As  stated  in  the  commencement  of*this  article,  no  act 
of  Congress  ever   caused  so  much  political  discussion  as 
this.      It  was  passed  to  quiet  a  contest  that  shook  the 
whole   country  ;    and  when   it  was  repealed   it   created 
another  of  still  greater  magnitude.     The  Kansas  imbrog- 
lio followed  hard  after  ;  and  the  late  disastrous  and  bloody 
civil  war  came  soon  enough  to  lead  many  wise  men  into 
the  opinion,  that  it  had  much  to  do  in  bringing  on  that 
terrible  calamity. 


316  OUTLINES  OS1  U.  S.  GOYUi.NME.\T. 


CHAPTER    LXXXVI. 
Mason  and  Dixon's  line. 

1.  SHOULD  any  reader  say  that  this  is  .not  pertinent  to 
the  subject  treated  of  in  this  work,  he  would  not  be  far 
out  of  the  way ;  for  strictly  speaking  it  has  nothing  to  do 
with  it.      But  the  phrase  "  Mason  and  Dixon's  Line,"  has 
been  used  in  connexion  with  the  political  sayings  and  do- 
ings of  the  country  so  often,  that  it  would  be   very  nat- 
ural for  any  one  to  ask,  "  What  is  it  ?"  and  "  What  is 
meant  by  it  ?"     To  answer  the  question  we  reply  as  fol- 
lows:— Mason  and  Dixon's  Line  is   not  a  myth  nor  an 
imaginary  line,  with  no  particular  location.     It  was  a  real 
line,  and  a  boundary  line,  located  between  Maryland  and 
Pennsylvania ;  between  which  two  colonies  there  had  been 
much   contention  and  many   hostile   acts,   amounting  at 
times  almost  to  a  civil  war.      This  arose  from  a  dispute 
respecting  the  boundary  lines  between  them.       Maryland 
had  been  granted  to  Lord  Baltimore,   and   Pennsylvania 
to  William  Penn. 

2.  This  was  long  before  the  Revolutionary  war.       But 
the  boundary  line   was   not   accurately    defined.     These 
disputes  caused  so  much  trouble  between  the    contending 
parties,  that  commissioners  were  appointed  in  England  to 
make  an  accurate  survey,  and  to  determine,  from  the    lan- 

used  in  the  charters, — or  grants,  as  they  were  called 


MASON    AND    DIXON's    LINE.  317. 

in  that  day, — the  exact  boundary  lino  "between  them. 
Messrs.  Mason  and  Dixon  were  selected  in  England  to 
run  this  line  ;  which  they  did.  These  men  were  eminent 
mathematicians  and  astronomers,  and  had  the  confidence 
of  all  parties.  They  performed  their  work  so  much  to  the 
satisfaction  of  all  parties  that  the  line  drawn  remains  to 
this  day.  Thus  was  ended  a  long  continued  quarrel  of 
more  than  70  years'  standing. 

3.  But  these  facts  did  not  give  this  line  its  great  no- 
toriety. It  arose  from  the  circumstance  that  Pennsylvania 
and  all  the  States  north  of  it  became  free  States,  while 
Maryland  and  all  the  States  south  of  it  remained  slave 
States.  Mason  and  Dixon's  line  without  any  intention 
of  making  it  such,  became  the  boundary  between  the  free 
and  slave  States. 

The  line  run  by  these  men  went  no  further  west  than 
those  States  extended,  and  was  a  straight  line  running 
east  and  west.  But  as  new  States  were  created  and 
added  to  the  original  13,  some  utterly  refused  to  admit 
slavery  while  others  did  admit  it.  Ohio,  Illinois  and 
Indiana  on  the  north  side  of  the  Ohio  river ;  refused  to 
admit,  while  Kentucky  eagerly  embraced  it.  Hence  the 
Ohio  river  became  a  sort  of  Mason  and  Dixon's  line :  that 
is,  it  became  the  line  so  far  as  these  States  were  concerned. 
The  phrase  by  this  time,  came  to  mean  the  boundary  line 
between  slavery  and  freedom,  instead  of  the  line  run  by 
Mason  and  Dixon  between  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland. 
Thus,  like  many  other  terms  in  our  language,  they  became 
far  more  comprehensive  in  their  significance  than  they 
were  in  their  original  meaning.  In  the  latter  sense,  Mason 
and  Dixon's  line  ran  wherever  the  boundary  lines  ran 


318  OUTLINES  OF  D.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

between  free  and  slave  States,  whether  east  and  west, 
north  and  south,  or  any  other  points  of  the  compass.  But 
the  late  civil  war  sponged  out  this  famous  line.  It  has 
no  existence  now,  excepting  that  part  of  it  whicli  origin- 
ally and  at  present  forms  the  boundary  between  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Maryland. 


POLITICAL     DIVISIONS.  319 


CHAPTER    LXXXVII. 

POLITICAL   DIVISIONS. 

1.  WHEN  we  wish  to  understand  the  geography  of  our 
country,   we  take  a  map  and  notice  its  boundaries,  its 
mountains,  lakes,  rivers,  towns,  &c. 

And  if  we  wish  to  understand  its  government  we  must 
notice  how  it  is  divided  for  political  purposes;  first,  into 
States,  and  then  into  a  variety  of  districts.  We  shall  find 
Congressional  Districts,  Judicial  Districts,  Collection  Dis- 
tricts, Land  Districts,  and  Light-house  Districts.  All  these 
have  their  uses,  and  are  parts  of  the  machinery  by  which 
the  government  is  operated.  If  it  were  not  for  the  ne- 
cessity there  is  of  frequently  changing  the  boundaries, 
numbers,  and  localities  of  these  districts,  it  would  be  use- 
ful and  interesting  if  the  United  States  were  mapped  out, 
so  as  to  show  all  these  political  divisions  at  a  glance,  in 
the  same  manner  as  the  States  and  counties  are  now 
shown. 

2.  The  first  great  division  is  into  States.      These  have 
particular  reference  to  the  Constitution  of  the  Senate  and 
House  of  Representatives.     Each  State  is  entitled  to  two 
Senators,  regardless  of  its  size  or  population ;  and  to  as 
many  Representatives  as  its  population  will  admit.     Each 
State  is  really  a  Senatorial  District  in  its  relations  to  the 
general  Government;  aud  as  Congressmen  are  elected  by 


320  OUTLINES  OF  TJ.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

single  districts,  each  State  is  sub-divided  into  as  many 
Congressional  Districts  as  it  has  Representatives  in  the 
lower  House.  But  when  a  State  has  only  one  member  of 
Congress,  as  is  the  case  with  several,  the  whole  State  is 
comprised  in  one  Congressional  District. 

JUDICIAL   DISTRICTS. 

3.  We  now  come  to  another  sort  of  districts,  made  for 
an  entirely  different  purpose.  For  the  convenience  of  the 
people,  the  United  States  Courts  are  held  in  every  State, 
and  at  different  places  in  the  same  State.  For  this  pur- 
pose the  whole  country  is  first  divided  into  Judicial  Cir- 
cuits. Several  States — 3,  4,  or  5 — are  embraced  in  One 
Circuit.  In  all  these  Statc-s  and  at  different  places  in  them, 
a  Circuit  Court  is  held. 

4  Then  comes  a  lower  grade  of  Courts,  called  the 
United  States  District  Courts.  These  also  are  held  at 
different  times  and  places  in  each  State  ;  and  for  this  pur- 
pose the  whole  country  is  divided  into  Judicial  Districts, 
each  State  forming  at  least  one,  but  some  of  the  larger 
ones,  two  or  three.  Thus  much  for  divisions,  for  Judicial 
purposes. 

COLLECTION   DISTRICTS. 

5.  Another  class  of  districts  has  been  formed,  for  the 
purpose  of  collecting  the  duties  on  imported  goods.  These 
are  called  "  Collection  Districts."  They  extend  along, 
and  embrace  the  whole  sea  coast,  and  the  shores  of  navi- 
gable lakes  and  rivers.  In  a  few  instances  they  are  lo- 
cated inland,  at  points  where  goods  may  be  brought  into 
the  United  States  by  land.  Each  Collection  District  has 


POLITICAL      DIVISIONS.  321 

a  port  of  entry,  and  very  often  sevei-al  ports  of  delivery  ; 
also  a  Collector  of  Customs,  and  generally  a  Custom  House. 

6.  Another  class  of  Collection  Districts  was  formed  dur- 
ing the  late  civil  war.     They  grew  out  of  the  war,  and 
were  established  for  the  collection  of  the  tax  termed  the 
"  Internal  Eevcnue,"  which  had  to  be  levied  to  pay  the 
War  expenses.      These*  districts  differ  entirely,  both  in 
their  objects  and  in  the  Territory  embraced  within  them, 
from  those  established  for  the  purpose  of  collecting  duties 
on  imports,  and  correspond  as  far  as  practicable  with  the 
Congressional  Districts  in  each  State. 

LAND   DISTRICTS . 

7.  Land  Districts  may  also  be  noticed  among  these  di- 
visions.    In  every  State  and  Territory  where  there  are 
public  lands  for  sale,  after  they  are  surveyed  and  mapped, 
they  are  divided  into  districts — two,  three,  or  foui-,  in  each 
State  and  Territory, — as  convenience  and  economy  may 
dictate.     In  each  district  a  Land  Office  is  established  for 
the  sale  of  the  lands  in  said  district. 

LIGHT   HOUSE   DISTRICTS. 

8.  Again,  the  whole  of  our  sea  coasts,  both  on  the  At- 
lantic and  Pacific  Oceans,  together  with  the  shores  of  the 
navigable   lakes   and   rivers,   are   divided  into  12  Light 
House  Districts  (or  their  number  must  not  exceed  that), 
for  the  purpose  of  building,  repairing,  illuminating  and 
superintending  the  light  houses  on   all   the   coasts    and 
shores  wherever  located.     These  are  the  principal  divis- 
ions we  have  to  notice.      It  is  important  to  have  a  knowl- 
edge of  them,  for  with  such  knowledge  wo  can  better 
understand  how  government  affairs  are  conducted. 


522  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  LXXXVIII. 
District  of  Columbia. 

1.  THE  District  of  Columbia,  in  regard  to  its  size,  pop 
ulation,  or  political  power,  is  one  of  the  most  insignifi- 
cant places  in  the  United  States.     It  is  not  a  State  or 
Territory,  but  a  small  district  but  ten  miles  square,  orig- 
inally cut  out  of  the  states  of  Maryland  and  Virginia  and 
ceded  to  the  United  States  as  a  site  for  the  Capitol. 
Here  the  Capitol  or  house  in  which  Congress  meets  is 
located,  together  with  the  Presidential  mansion,  and 
other  public  buildings  occupied  by  the   Government. 
Its  population   has  grown    to  the  present   size,  about 
80,000,  since  the  year  1800,  when  it  became  the  Capitol 
of  the  nation,  and  when  Congress  first  assembled  here, 
its  former  sessions  having  been  held  at  New  York  and 
Philadelphia.     The  city  which  has  grown  up  around 
the  Capitol  is  named  Washington,  after  the  great  and 
good  father  of  his  country. 

2.  The  people  who  live  here  occupy  an  anomalous 
position,  for,  with  the  exception  of  the  political  rights 
granted  to  them  by  Congress  in  their  own  local  affairs, 
they  have  no  political  power  whatsoever.     They  cannot 
vote  for  President  or  Yice-President ;  they  have    no 
representative  in  Congress,  nor  any  voice  in  the  enact- 
ment of  the  laws  by  which  they  are  governed,  further 
than  to  make  their  own  municipal  regulations  as  granted 


DISTRICT   OP   COLUMBIA.  323 

to  them  in  the  charter  which  Congress  gave  to  the 
city ;  this  they  do  through  a  Mayor  and  Common 
Council.  They  are  governed  by  Congress,  which  is 
their  legislature,  although  they  have  no  power  to  send  a 
single  member  to  represent  them  in  it. 

3.  Besides  the  courts  of  Justices  of  th©  Peace,  there 
are  four  high  courts,  with  their  judges,  and  other  law 
officers ;  first,  a  Circuit  Court,  second  a  District  Court, 
third  an  Orphan's  Court,  and  fourth  a  Criminal  Court : 
all  these  must  be  recognised  as  United  States  Courts ;  be- 
cause they  were  established  by  the  laws  of  Congress, 
and  because  their  judges  are  all  appointed  by  tho 
President  and  Senate,  and  are  paid  out  of  the  United 
States  Treasury. 

In  saying  that  the  District  is  ten  miles  square, 
and  that  it  was  ceded  to  the  United  States  by  Virginia 
and  Maryland,  we  state  what  was  the  case  up  to  1846, 
when  Congress  re-ceded  to  the  State  of  Virginia  that 
part  of  it  which  formerly  belonged  to  her.  This  part 
lies  west  of  the  Potomac  River,  and  is  of  no  use  to  the 
United  States ;  as  the  Capitol,  with  all  the  other  public 
buildings,  and,  indeed,  the  whole  City  of  Washington, 
stand  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  and  in  the  part 
formerly  belonging  to  Maryland. 

The  villages  of  Alexandria  and  Georgetown  werebotli 
included  in  the  District;  but  in  1840,  Alexandria, 
which  stands  on  the  west  side  of  the  Potomac,  was 
thrown  out  by  the  re-cession  to  Virginia. 

The  Capitol  is  one  of  the  finest  State  Houses  in  the 
world.  It  has  been  much  enlarged,  and  has  cost  nearly 
$3,000,000. 


324  OUTLINES  OF  TT.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  LXXXIX. 
States. 

1.  As  has  been  said  in  another  place,  people  who  live  in 
the  United  States,  live  under  two  separate  and  distinct 
governments ;  first,  that  of  the  United  States,  and  second 
that  of  the  particular  State  in  which  they  reside.  This,  at 
first  thought,  would  seem  to  create  confusion,  if  not  a  con- 
flict of  authority,  and  to  place  the  citizen  in  doubt  as  to 
what  law  he  should  obey  when  in  his  own  mind  there 
seems  to  be  an  antagonism  between  the  laws  of  the  two 
governments.  This  is  easily  overcome,  however,  for  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States,  which  is  paramount  to 
all  other  law,  regulates  this  by  its  own  provisions.  Neither 
Congress,  nor  the  legislature  of  any  State  can  make  any 
law  contrary  to  it ;  and  if  either  of  these  legislative 
bodies  should  do  so,  there  33  a  power  which  has  the  au- 
thority to  set  any  such  la-7*-  aside  ;  and  that  is,  the  United 
States  Supreme  Court.  Its  decision  in  regard  to  any 
question  which  may  arhs  as  to  the  rightful  authority  of 
Congress,  or  any  State  legislature  is  final ;  there  being  no 
appeal  from  its  decisions. 

This  Court  is  the  regulating  power  and  the  final  resort. 
To  use  a  mechanical  figure,  it  keeps  all  the  small  wheela 
(the  State  governments),  revolving  within  one  great  wheel 


STATES.  325 

(the  General   Government),  with  but  little  friction,  and 
without  any  serious  collision. 

2.  In  the  preceding  pages  we  have  treated  only  of  the 
United  States  Government,  without  any  intention  of  ex- 
plaining the  State  Governments.     "We  shall  not  now  de- 
part from  that  plan,  but  shall  mention  them  only  in  gen- 
eral terms,  as  parts  of  the  great  whole ;  to  show  what 
political  power  they  possess ;  what  they  relinquished  to 
the  general  Government,  to  what  extent  they  are  sover- 
eign powers,  and  how  they  fall  short  of  being  complete 
sovereignties. 

3.  The  Constitution  of  the  United  States  expressly  de- 
clares that  Congress  shall  have  and  exercise  certain  pow- 
ers, and  also  that  no  State  shall  possess  or  exercise  them. 

Congress  has  the  exclusive  power  to  lay  duties  on  im- 
ported goods,  to  regulate  commerce  with  foreign  nations 
and  with  Indian  tribes;  to  pass  naturalization  laws,  to 
coin  money,  to  establish  post  offices  and  post  roads ;  to 
grant  patents  and  copyrights ;  to  declai-e  war,  and  to  do 
many  other  things  which  the  States  are  prohibited  from  do- 
ing, for  if  invested  with  such  powers  there  would  be  an  im- 
mediate conflict  of  laws  and  unavoidable  collision  between 
the  United  States  and  the  State  Governments. 

4.  Now  when  the  several  original  States  adopted  the 
Constitution,  they  agreed  to  be  governed  by  its  provis- 
ions, and  therefore  conceded  to   Congress  all   the  rights 
and  powers  therein  specified ;  thus  relinquishing   all  au- 
thority to  exercise  them  themselves.      And  as  the  new 
States    came  into  the  Union,  they  did  the  same  tiling. 
Hence  all  the  States  voluntarily  surrendered  a  part  of 
the  powers  which  belong  to  a  sovereign  State.      Sover- 


326  OUTLINES  OP  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

eignty  implies  full  power  to  do  any  thing  without  the  con- 
trol of  another.  The  United  States  Government  is  a  com- 
plete sovereignty.  The  States  are  not,  because  they 
agreed,  for  the  general  good  of  all,  to  surrender  certain 
powers  to  the  general  Government. 

5.  In   everything,  except  these  surrendered  rights  or 
powers,  the  States  are  sovereign.     In  all  matters  },er>;ain- 
ing  to  their  own  domestic  affairs,  they  enjoy  full  power  to 
enact  such  laws  as  they  please,  taking  care  that  no  law, 
however,  shall  conflict  with  the'Constitution  of  the  United 
States,  or  with  any  law  which  Congress  has  the  exclusive 
right  to  enact. 

6.  The  States  are  the  first,  most  important,  and  most 
permanent  of  all  the  political  divisions  of  the  country. 
They  are  now  in  size,  location,  and  Territorial  limits,  just 
what  they  were  when  first  formed ;  with  one  exception,  and 
that  is  Virginia.      When  that  State  seceded  with  most  of 
the  other  Southern  States,  before  the  late  civil  war,  the 
people  in  that  part  of  the  State  lying  west  of  the  Alleghany 
Mountains  (nearly  one  half  of  it),  refused  to  leave  the  old 
Union,  seceded  from  the  old  State  and  organized  them- 
selves into  a  new  one,   styling  it  "West  Virginia.      This 
they  could  not  do,  however,  without  the  consent  of  Con- 
gress ;  but  this  was  readily  given,  the  division  was  con- 
summated and  a  new  State  was  carved  out  of  an  old  one. 
This  is  the  first,  and  thus  far,  the  only  instance  in  which 
this  has  been  done. 

In  the  following  chapter  we  give  the  several  States  in 
alphabetical  order,  making  it  easy  to  turn  to  them,  and  to 
find  any  desired  information  contained  in  the  brief  sum- 
mary of  facts  relating  to  each. 


INDIVIDUAL   STATES.  327 


CHAPTER  XC. 
Individual    States. 


ALABAMA. 

ALABAMA  was  admitted  into  the  Union  of  States,  De'o. 
14th,  1819,  and  made  the  twenty-second  State. 

It  has  an  area  of  50,722  square  miles,  equal  to  32,462,- 
080  acres,  and  had  a  population  in  1860  of  964,201,  by 
which  she  was  entitled  to  6  Representatives  in  Congress. 

It  forms  a  part  of  the  Fifth  Judicial  Circuit,  and  is 
divided  into  three  Judicial  Districts,  viz.,  Northern,  Mid- 
dle, and  Southern  Districts  of  Alabama. 

It  has  one  port  of  entry,  to  wit,  Mobile,  and  two  ports 
of  delivery,  viz.,  Tuscumbia  and  Selma. 

The  Capitol  of  the  State  is  Montgomery. 


328  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.   GOVERNMENT. 

The  State  election  is  held  on  the  first  Monday  in  Auguts*. 

The  Legislature  meets  on  the  second  Monday  in  No- 
vember, but  meets  only  once  in  two  years. 

The  enacting  clause  of  its  laws  is  as  follows :  "  Be  it 
enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
State  of  Alabama,  in  general  assembly  convened." 

"UNITED  STATES  SENATORS." 

Under  this  caption,  after  the  general  remarks  upon  each 
State,  we  give  the  names  of  all  the  men  who  have  repre- 
sented that  State  in  the  United  States  Senate,  from  the 
commencement  of  the  Government  (1789),  down  to  the 
end  of  the  year  1867,  in  chronological  order,  together 
with  their  times  of  service.  This  affords  a  convenient 
means  of  reference  to  the  prominent  statesmen  in  each 
State,  in  times  gone  by. 

Those  from  Alabama  were  as  follows  : 
Wm.  R.   King,  from  1819  to  1844,  and  from  1846  to  1852 


J.  W.  Walker,        " 

1819  "  1822 

Wm.  Kelly,             " 

1822  "  1825 

Henry  Chambers,  " 

1825  "  1826 

Israel  Pickens, 

1826  superseded  the  same  year  by 

John  McKiiiley,     " 

1826  "  1831* 

Gabriel  Moore,       " 

1831  "  1837 

Clement  C.  Clay,  " 

1837  "  1841 

Arthur  P.  Bagby,  " 

1841  "  1849 

Dixon  H.  Lewis,    " 

1844  "  184T 

B.  Fitzpatrick,       " 

1848  "  1849,  and  from 

1852  to  1861 

J.  Clemens, 

1849  "  1853 

C.  C.  Clay,  Jr.,      " 

1853  «  1861 

He  also  served  from  1837  to  1841. 


INDIVIDUAL   STATES.  329 

Alabama  seceded  from  the  Union  in  1861 ;  and  conse- 
quently has  not  been  represented  in  the  United  States 
Senate,  from  that  time  up  to  the  end  of  1867;  and  will 
not  be,  until  re-admitted  into  the  Union. 


ARKANSAS. 

Arkansas  was  admitted  into  the  Union,  Jan.  15,  1836, 
(Michigan  admitted  same  day),  making  the  26th  State. 

She  has  an  area  of  52,198  square  miles,  equal  to  33,406,- 
720  acres. 

Her  population  in  1860  was  435,450,  which  entitles  her 
to  3  Representatives  in  Congress. 

Arkansas  lies  in  the  8th  Judicial  Circuit,  and  forms  two 
Judicial  Districts — Eastern  and  Western. 

She  has  no  ports  of  entry,  or  delivery. 

This  State  was  a  part  of  the  Louisiana  purchase,  made 
of  France  in  1803. 

The  Capitol  of  this  State  is  Little  Rock. 

She  holds  her  State  election  on  the  first  Monday  in 
August. 


330  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

The  Legislature  meets  on  the  first  Monday  in  Novem- 
ber, but  meets  only  once  in  two  years. 

The  enacting  clause  of  the  laws  is,  "  Be  it  enacted  by 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Arkansas." 

UNITED  STATES   SENATORS. 

William  S.  Fulton  from  1836  to  1844 
Ambrose  H.  Sevier,  "  1836  "  1848 
Chester  Ashley,  "  1844  "  1847 

Wm.  K.  Sebastian,  "  1848  "  1861 
Solon  Borland,  "  1848  "  1855 

Robert  W.  Johnson,     "      1853  "    1861 
Charles  B.  Mitchell,     "      1861  "   1861 
Arkansas  was  one  of  the  seceding  States ;  and  the  re- 
marks made  at  the  end  of  the  list  of  Senators  from  Ala- 
bama are  equally  applicable  to  this  State, 


CALIFORNIA. 


California  was  admitted  in  1850,  making  the  thirty-first 
State.  It  has  an  area  of  188,982  square  miles,'  equal  to 
120,948,480  acres.  The  population  for  1860  was  put  down 


INDIVIDUAL   STATES.  331 

at  379,994 ;  but  this  estimate  was  not  regarded  as  reliable. 
Congress  by  special  act  allowed  her  3  Representatives  in 
Congress. 

By  act  of  1866,  this  State,  with  Oregon  and  Nevada, 
constitutes  the  Ninth  Judicial  Circuit,  and  forms  two 
Judicial  Districts.  California  has  7  ports  of  entry,  viz., 
San  Francisco,  Monterey,  San  Diego,  Sacramento,  Sonoma, 
San  Joaquin  and  San  Pedro ;  also  one  port  of  delivery, 
Santa  Barbara.  This  State,  as  is  seen  by  its  area,  is  very 
large,  and  will  probably  in  some  future  day  be  divided 
into  two.  California  was  obtained  from  Mexico,  by  treaty 
in  1848. 

The  capital  is  Sacramento.  She  holds  her  State  elec- 
tion on  the  first  "Wednesday  in  September.  Her  legisla- 
ture meets  on  the  first  Monday  in  December,  but  meets 
only  once  in  two  years. 

The  enacting  clause  of  her  laws  is  :  "  The  people  of  the 
State  of  California,  represented  in  Senate  and  Assembly, 
do  enact  as  follows." 

UNITED    STATES    SENATORS. 

John  C.  Fremont  from  1850  to  1851 

Wm.  M.  Gwin,  "  1850  "  1861 

John  B.  Weller,  «  1851  "  1857 

H.  P.  Haun,  «  1859  "  1862 

D.  C.  Broderick,  "  1856  "  1859 

M.  S.  Latham,  "  1860  "  1866 

John  Conness,  "  1863  "  1869 

Cornelius  Cole,  "  1867  «  1873 

J.  A.  McDougall,  "  1861  "  1867 


332  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CONNECTICUT. 

CONNECTICUT  is  one  of  the  original  thirteen  States.  Her 
area  is  only  4,674  square  miles,  equal  to  2,991,360  acres. 
The  population  in  1860,  was  460,147,  which  gives  her 
four  representatives  in  Congress. 

Connecticut  is  part  of  the  Second  Judicial  Circuit,  and 
forms  one  Judicial  District.  She  has  five  collection  Dis- 
tricts, and  consequently  five  ports  of  entry, — New  London, 
New  Haven,  Fairfield,  Middletown  and  Stonington  ;  also 
twenty-two  ports  of  delivery. 

This  State  has  two  capitols,  Hartford  and  New  Haven, 
and  holds  her  State  election  on  the  first  Monday  in  April. 
The  Legislature  meets  on  the  first  Wednesday  in  May. 

The  enacting  clause  of  her  laws  is,  "Be  it  enacted  by  the 
Senate  and  House  of  Reperseritatives,  in  general  assembly 
convened." 

UNITED    STATES    SENATOES. 

Oliver  Elsworth,  from  1789  to  1796 
Wm.  S.Johnson,    "     1789  "  1791 
Roger  Sherman,      "      1791  "  1793 
S.  M.  Michell,         "         1793  "  1795. 


INDIVIDUAL    STATES.  333 

Joh'n  Trumbull,  from  1795  to  1796 


Uriah  Tracey,         " 

1796  «  1807 

J.  Hillhouse,           " 

1796  «  1810 

C.  Goodrich,          lt 

1807  "  1813 

S.  TV.  Dana, 

1810  "  1821 

David  Doggett,      " 

1813'  «  1819 

James  Lanman,      " 

1819  "  1825 

E.  Boardman.         " 

1821  «  1823 

H.  TV.  Edwards,   " 

1823  «  1827 

Calvin  TVilley,      " 

1825  «  1831 

Samuel  A.  Foot,    " 

1827  "  1833 

G.  Tomlinson,        « 

1831  "  1837 

Nathan  Smith,       " 

1833  "  1835 

John  M.  Niles,      " 

1835  «  1839,  and  from  1843  to  1849 

Perry  Smith,          " 

1837  "  1843 

Thaddeus  Betts,     " 

1839  "  1940 

J.  W.  Huntington," 

1840  «  1847 

11.  S.  Baldwin,      " 

1847  «  1851 

Truman  Smith,      " 

1849  "  1855 

Isaac  Toucey,        " 

1852  «  1857 

Francis  Gillette,   " 

1854  "  185G 

L.  S.  Foster, 

1855  "  1867 

James  Dixon,        " 

1857  "  1859 

Orris  Ferry,          *• 

1867  "  1873 

334  OUTLINES  OF   IT.    S.    GOVERNMENT. 


DELAWARE. 

Delaware  is  one  of  the  original  thirteen  States,  and  has 
an  area  of  2,120  square  miles,  equal  to  1,356,800  acres. 
Population  in  1860,  112,216. 

It  has  one  representative  in  Congress ;  forms  part  of  the 
third  Judicial  Circuit  (act  of  1862)  constitutes  one  Judicial 
District ;  has  one  port  of  entry — Wilmington  ;  and 
three  ports  of  delivery — New  Castle,  Port  Penn,  and 
Delaware  City, 

The  population  of  this  State,  has  never  entitled  it  to 
more  than  one  member  of  Congress. 

The  capital  is  Dover.  The  elections  are  held  in  Novem- 
ber. The  Legislature  meets  on  the  first  Tuesday  in 
January,  and  meets  only  once  in  two  years. 

The  enacting  clause  of  the  laws  is,  "  Be  it  enacted  by 
the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  State  of 
Delaware  in  general  assembly  met." 

UNITED   STATES   SENATORS^ 

George   Read,  from   1789  "  1793 
P.  Bassett,  "       1789  "  1793 

.John  Vining,        "       1793  "  1798 


INDIVIDUAL    STATES. 


335 


Kensey  Johns,  from  179-4  to  1795 

Henry  Latimer, 

Joshua  Clayton, 

W.  H.  Wells, 

Samuel  White, 

J.  A.  Bayard, 

O.  Horsey, 

N.  Van  Dyke, 

C.  A.  Rodney, 

T  Clayton,      ,    J 

D.  Rodney, 
II  Ridgely, 
L.  McLane, 

J.  M.  Clayton, 
A.  Nordain, 
R.  H.  Bayard,     ' 
P.  Spruance,        ' 
John  Wales,        < 
J.  A.  Bayard, 
M.  W.  Bates, 
J.  P.  Comeygs,    ' 
W.Saulsbury,      ' 
G.  R.  Riddle,      * 
J.  A.  Bayard,     ' 


1795  "  1801 

1798  «  1799 

1799  •'  1804,  and  from  1813  to  1817 
1801  "  1810 

1804  "  1813 
1810  "  1821 
1817  "  1826 
1822  «  1823 
1824  "  1827,  and  from  1837  to  1847 

1826  "  1827 

1827  "  1829 
1827  "  1829 

1829  «  1837,  and  from  1845  to  184$> 

1830  "  1836 
1836  "  1845 
1847  "  1853 
1849  "  1851 
1851  "  1864 
1857  "  1859 
1856  «  1857 
1859  «  1871 
1864  "  1869 

«  "  1873 


.336  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


Florida  was  admitted  into  the  Union,  March  3,  1845, 
making  the  27th  State.  This  State  has  an  area  of  59,268 
square  miles,  equal  to  37,931,520  acres.  The  population 
in  1860  amounted  to  140,425,  which  gave  her  but  one 
Representative  in  Congress. 

Florida  lies  in  the  5th  Judicial  Circuit  and  forms  two 
Judicial  Districts ;  has  7  ports  of  entry — St.  Augustine, 
Key  West,  Apalachicola,  Pensacola,  Magnolia,  St.  John's 
River,  and  Fernandina ;  and  2  ports  of  delivery — Palatka 
and  Bay  Port.  This  State  was  bought  by  the  United 
States  of  Spain  in  1819. 

The  capital  is  Tallahassee.  The  State  election  is  held  the 
first  Monday  in  October.  The  Legislature  meets  biennially 
on  the  first  Monday  in  November. 

The  enacting  clause  of  her  laws  is,  "  Be  it  enacted  by 
the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  State  of 
Florida,  in  General  Assembly  convened." 

UNITED   STATES   SENATORS. 

David  L.  Yulee  from  1845  to  1861 
J.  D.  Westcott,      "      1845  "  1851 


INDIVIDUAL    STATES.  337 

Jackson  Morton,  from  1849  to  1855 
S.  R.  Mallory,  "  1851  "  1861 
Florida  seceded  from  the  United  States  in  1861;  and 

the  remarks  made  at  the  end  of  the  list  of  Senators  from 

Alabama,  are  applicable  to  her. 


GEORGIA. 

Georgia  is  one  of  the  thirteen  original  States,  and  has 
an  area  of  52,009  square  miles,  equal  to  33,285,760  acres. 

The  population  in  1860,  was  1,057,286,  which  entitled 
her  to  seven  representatives  hi  Congress. 

The  State  lies  in  the  Fifth  Judicial  Circuit,  and  has  two 
Judicial  Districts ;  also  four  ports  of  entry — Savannah, 
Brunswick,  St.  Mary's  and  Hardwicke ;  and  two  ports  of 
delivery — Augusta  and  Sunbury. 

The  capital  is  Milledgeville.  The  State  election  is 
held  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  October.  The  Legislature 
meets  on  the  first  Thursday  in  November. 

The  enacting  clause  of  her  laws  is,  "  Be  it  enacted  by 
the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  State  of 
Georgia  in  general  assembly  met ;  and  it  is  hereby  enacted 
by  the  authority  of  the  same." 


338  OUTLINES  OP  U.  &.  GOVERNMENT. 

TJNITKD   STATES   SENATORS 

William  Few,  from  1789  to  1793 

James  Gunn,      "  1789  "  1801 

James  Jackson,  "  1893  "  1795,  and  from  1801   to  1800 

George  Walton,  "  1795  "1796 

Josiah  Tatnal,    "  1796  "  1799 

A.  Baldwin,         "  1796  "  1805,  and   from   1805  to  1807 

J.  Melledge,        "  1806  "  1809 

George  Jones,    "  1807  "  1807 

W.H.Crawford,"  1807  "  1813 

Charles  Tait,       "  1809  "  1813,  and  from  1813  to  1819 

W.  B.  Bullock,  "  1813  "  1813 

Wm.  W.  Bibb,  "  1813  "  1816 

G.  M.  Troup,      "  1815  "  1818,  and  from   1829  to  1833 

John  Forsyth,     "  1819  "  1819,  and  from   1829  to  1837 

F.  Walker,          "  1819  "  1821 

John  Elliott,      "  1819  "  1821 

Nicholas  Ware,  "  1821  "  1823 

T.  W.  Cobb,       "  1824  "  1828 

O.  H.  Prince,       "  1828  "18.9 

John  P.  King,     '<  1833  "  1837 

W.  Lumpkin,     "  1837  "  1841 

J.  M.  Berrien,     "  1825  "  1829,  and  from  1841  to  1847-51 

A.  Cuthbert,        "  1837  "  1843 

W.  T.  Colquitt,  "  1843  «  1849 

H.  V.  Johnson,  «  1848  «  1849 

W  C.  Dawson,   "  1849  '  1855 

Robert  Toomfc.3,  "  1853  "  1861 

R.  M.  Charleton,  "  1852  "  1853 

Alfred  Iverson,     •'     1855  "  1801 


INDIVIDUAL    STATES.  339 

Georgia  was  one  of  the  seceding  States,  and  the  same 
remarks  apply  to  her,  that  have  been  made  at  the  end  of 
the  list  of  Senators  from  Alabama. 


ILLINOIS. 

This  State  came  into  the  Union  on  the  third  day  of 
Dec.  1818,  making  the  21st  State.  It  was  carved  out,  of 
what  was  then  known  as  the  Northwestern  Territory. 
Illinois  has  an  area  of  55,405  square  miles,  equal  to 
35,459,200  acres  ;  had  a  population  in  1860  of  1,711,951 ;  is 
entitled  to  14  Representatives  in  Congress,  forms  a  part 
of  the  Seventh  Judicial  Circuit.  Forms  two  Judicial  Dis- 
tricts, — Northern  and  Southern — has  one  port  of  entry, 
viz.,  Chicago,  and  four  ports  of  delivery,  viz.,  Alton, 
Quincy,  Cairo  and  Peoria. 

The  capital  is  at  Springfield.  The  State  election  is  held 
on  the  first  Tuesday  in  November.  The  Legislature  meets 
biennially  on  the  Second  Monday  in  January. 

The  enacting  clause  of  the  laws  is  as  follows  :  "  Be  it 
enacted  by  the  people  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  represented 
in  the  General  Assembly." 


340 


OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


UNITED   STATES    SENATORS. 


J.  S.  Thomas,  from  1818  to  1829 


N.  Edwards, 
John  McLean,    " 

D.  J.  Baker,       « 

E.  K.  Kane,       " 
J.  M.  Robinson," 
W.  L.  D.  Ewing," 
KM.  Young,    " 
S.McRoberts,    " 
J.  Semple,         " 
Sidney  Breese,  " 
S.  A.  Douglas,  " 
James  Shields,  " 
L.  Trumbull,      " 
O.  H.Browning," 
W.A.Richardson" 
Richard  Yates,  " 


1818  "  1824 

1821  "  1825,  and  from  1829  to  1830 

1830  1  month. 

1825  "  1836 

1830  «  1841 

1835  «  1837 

183T  "  1843 

1841  «  1843 

1843  «  1847 

1843  "  1849 

1847  "  1861 

1849  "  1855 

1855  "  1861 

1861  "  1863 

1863  "  1865 

1S65  "  1871 


INDIANA. 

The  State  of  Indiana  was  formed  out  of  part  of  what 


INDIVIDUAL    STATES.  341 

•was  called  the  North-western  Territory  ;  was  admitted  as 
a  State  in  1816,  making  the  nineteenth  State.  She  has 
an  area  of  33,809  square  miles,  equal  to  21,637,760  acres. 
Her  population  in  i860  was  1,350,428,  which  entitled  her 
to  11  Representatives  in  Congress.  Indiana  is  the  Seventh 
Judicial  Circuit,  and  forms  one  Judicial  District.  There 
is  no  port  of  entry  in  this  State ;  but  there  are  three  ports 
of  delivery,  to  wit,  Evansville,  ISTew  Albany,  and  Madison  ; 
which  are  attached  to  the  New  Orleans  Collection  Dis- 
trict. 

The  capital  is  Indianapolis.  The  State  election  is  held 
on  the  second  Tuesday  of  October.  The  Legislature 
meets  only  once  in  two  years,  on  the  first  Wednesday  of 
January. 

The  enacting  clause  of  her  laws  is  in  these  words,  "  Be 
it  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of 
Indiana." 

UNITED   STATES    SENATORS. 

James  Noble,  from  1816  to  1831 


W.  Taylor,          " 

1816  "  1825 

W.  Hendricks,     " 

1825  «  1837 

K.  Ilanna,           " 

1831  «  1831 

John  Tipton,        « 

1831  "  1839 

O.  H.  Smith,       " 

1837  "  1843 

A.  S.  White,        « 

1839  "  1845 

E.  A.  Hannegan," 

1843  "  1849 

J.  D.  Bright,       " 

1845  "  1862 

J.  "Whit  comb,      " 

1849  "  1855 

C.  W.  Cathcart,  " 

1852  «  1853 

542  OUTLINES    OF   U.    S.   GOVERNMENT. 

John    Pettit,  from  1853  to  1855 

Charles  Durkee,"  1855  "1861 

G.  K  Fitch,        "  1857  "  1861 

II.  A.  Lane,        "  1861  "  186T 

D.  Turpee,  "  1863  «  1863 

J.  A.  Wright,      "  1862  "  1863 
T.  A.  Hendricks,"  «  1869 

O.  P.  Morton,     "  1867  "  1873 


Iowa  was  admitted  into  the  Union  March  8,  1845,  mak- 
ing the  twenty-eighth  State.  We  have  numbered  this  tho 
twenty-eighth  State,  and  Florida  the  twenty-ninth.  Both 
however  were  admitted  on  the  same  day,  and  by  one  act. 
Iowa  has  an  area  of  55,045  square  miles,  equal  to  35,228,- 
800  acres.  The  population  in  1860  was  674,913,  which 
entitled  to  6  Representatives  in  Congress.  This  Stato 
lies  in  the  Eighth  Judicial  Circuit,  and  makes  one  Judicial 
District.  She  has  no  port  of  entry,  but  has  3  ports  of  do- 
livery,  to  wit,  Burlington,  Keokuk,  and  Dubuque;  all  of 


INDIVIDUAL   STATES.  343 

which  are  attached  to  the  Collection  District  of  New  Or- 
leans, in  the  State  of  Louisiana. 

Des  Moines  is  the  capital.  The  State  election  is  held 
on  the  Second  Tuesday  of  October.  The  Legislature 
meets  biennially  on  the  Second  Wednesday  in  January. 

The  enacting  clause  of  her  laws  is  in  these  words  :  "  Be 
it  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Iowa." 

UNITED   STATES   SENATORS. 

George  "W.  Jones,  from  1848  to  1859    . 
Augustus  C.  Dodge,  «     1S48  «  1855 

T          „    ,  «  (  1856  "  1865 

James  Harlan, 


James  W.  Grimes,    «     1859  "  18T1 
Samuel  J.Kirkwood,"     1866  «  1871 


Kansas  was  admitted  into  the  Union  as  a  State,  Jan. 
29,  1861,  making  the  thirty-fourth  State.  Kansas  has 
an  area  of  78,418  square  miles,  equal  to  50,187,520  acre?. 
The  population  in  1869  was  107,206  ;  entitling  to  one  Re- 


344  OUTLINES  OF   TJ.    S.    GOVERNMENT. 

presentative  in  Congress.  The  State  is  in  the  Eighth 
Judicial  Circuit,  and  forms  one  Judicial  District.  It  has 
not  now  any  ports  of  entry  or  delivery. 

Topeka  is  the  capital.  The  State  election  is  held  on  the 
first  Tuesday  in  November.  The  legislature  meets  on  the 
second  Thursday  hi  January. 

The  enacting  clause  of  the  laws  is  as  follows:  "Be  it 
enacted  by  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  Kansas." 

UNITED   STATES   SENATOK8. 

James  Henry  Lane,  from  1861  to  1866 
Samuel  C.  Pomeroy,  "  1861  «  1873 
E.  G.  Ross,  «  1866  "  1871 


KENTUCKY. 

Kentucky  was  admitted  into  the  Union  on  the  first  of 
June,  1792 ,  and  has  an  area  of  37,680  square  miles,  equal 
to  24,115,200  acres. 

The  population  in  i860  numbered  1,155,684.  The 
State  has  now  nine  representatives  in  Congress;  is  in  the 
Sixtli  Judicial  Circuit,  by  act  of  1866  ;  forms  one  Judicial 


INDIVIDUAL   STATES.  345 

District ;  has  one  port  of  entry — Louisville ;  and  two  ports 
of  delivery — Paducah  and  Columbus. 

Before  Kentucky  was  erected  into  a  State,  it  formed  a 
part  of  the  State  of  Virginia. 

It  was  the  second  State  admitted,  making  the  fifteenth 
State.  Frankfort  is  the  capital. 

The  State  elections  are  held  on  the  first  Monday  of 
August.  The  Legislature  meets  on  the  first  Monday  in 
December. 

The  enacting  clause  of  the  laws  is  in  the  following  words  : 
"Be  it  enacted  by  the  general  assembly  of  the  common- 
wealth of  Kentucky."  * 

UNITED   STATES    SENATORS. 


John     Brown,       from  1792 

to  1805 

John  Edwards,          " 

1792 

"  1795 

Humphrey  Marshall," 

1795 

"  1801 

John  Breckenridge,  " 

1801 

"   1805 

Buckner  Thurston,  " 

1805 

"   1810 

John  Adair, 

1805 

"  1806 

f  1806 

"  1807 

Henry  Clay,              " 

J  1810 
]  1831 

"  1811 
"  1842 

[1849 

"  1855 

John  Pope, 

1807 

"  1813 

George  M.  Bibb,       " 

j  1811 

"  1814 

O 

[  1829 

"   1835 

Jesse  Bledsoe,          " 

1813 

"   1815 

George  Walkei*,         " 

1814 

"   1814 

William  T.  Barry,     " 

1814 

"  1816 

Isham  Talbot,           " 

j  1815 
(  1820 

"  1819 
"   1825 

346 


OUTLINES  OP  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


Martin  D.  Hardin,  from  1810 


John  J.  Crittenden, " 

Richard  M.  Johnson," 

William  Logan,  " 
John  Rowan,  " 

Jas.  T.  Moorehead, ." 
Jos'h.R.  Underwood," 
Thomas  Metcalf,  " 
Archibald  Dixon,  " 
David  Meriwether,  " 
J.  B.  Thompson,  " 
Lazarus  W.  Powell," 
Jno .  C .  B  reckinridge," 
Garrett  Davis,  " 

James  Guthric,  " 
Thos.  C.  McCreery,  " 


fl8!7 
I  1835 
J  1842 
[l855 
1819 
1823 
1819 
1826 
1841 
1847 
1848 
1852 
1852 
1853 
1859 
1861 
1861 
1865 
1868 


to  1817 
"  1819 
"  1841 
"  1849 

"  1861 
"  1823 
"  1829 
"  1820 
"  1831 
"  1847 
"  1853 
"  1849 
"  1855 
"  1852 
"  1859 
"  1865 
"  1861 
"  1873 
"  1871 
"  1871 


LOUISIANA. 


Jjouisiana  was  formed  ont  of  a  part  of  the  Lonisana  pur- 


INDIVIDUAL    STATES.  347 

chase,  made  of  France  in  1803,  and  was  admitted  into  the 
Union  in  1812,  making  the  eighteenth  State. 

She  has  an  area  of  46,431  square  miles,  equal  to  29,715- 
840  acres.  The  population  in  1860  numbered  708,002  : 
entitling  her  to  five  representatives  in  Congress. 

Louisiana  forms  a  part  of  the  Fifth  Judicial  Circuit,  and 
constitutes  two  Judicial  Districts,  viz.,  the  Eastern  and 
Western  Districts  of  Louisiana.  This  State  has  one  Collec- 
tion District,  denominated  the  District  of  New  Orleans  ; 
which  city  is  the  only  port  of  entry.  The  shores  of  the  river 
Ohio,  and  all  the  rivers  emptying  into  the  Mississippi,  are 
attached  to  the  District  of  New  Orleans  ;  though  most  of 
them  do  not  lie  in  the  State.  Several  of  the  cities  and 
towns  on  these  rivers  are  made  ports  of  delivery.  Col- 
lection Districts  are  not  always  confined  to  one  State. 

Baton  Rouge  is  the  capital.  The  Legislature  meets  on 
the  thii-d  Monday  in  January,  once  in  two  years.  The 
State  election  is  held  on  the  first  Monday  in  November. 

The  enacting  clause  of  her  laws  is  as  follows :  "  Be  it 
enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
State  of  Louisiana,  in  general  assembly  convened," 

UNITED   STATES   SENATORS. 

Thomas   Posey,  October  to  December,  1812 

James      Brown,    from   i  1812  to  1817 
\  1810    "  1824 

Allan  B.  Macgruder,  from  1812  "  1813 
Eligius  Fromentin,  "  1813  "  1819 
TV.  C.  C.  Claiborne,  "  1817  "  1818 

j  1818  «   1824 
Henry  Johnson,  j  Ig43  u   184Q 

Dominique  Bouligny,    "     1824  "    1829 


348  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

Josiah  S.  Johnston,  from  1824  to  1833 
Edward  Livingston,  "  1829  "  1831 
George  A.  Waggaman,  "  1831  "  1835 
Alexander  Porter,  "  1833  "  1837 
Robert  C.  Nichols,  "  1833  «  1841 
Alexander  Morton,  "  1838  "  1842 
Alexander  Barrow,  "  1841  "  1847 
Charles  M.  Conrad,  "  1842  "  1843 
j  1847  "  1847 
Pierre  Soule,  "ji849  «  1855 

Solomon  W.  Downs,  "  1847  "  1853 
John  Slidell,  "  1853  "  1861 

Judah  P.  Benjamin,  "  1853  "  1861 
Louisiana  seceded  with  other  Southern  States  in  1861, 

and  the  remarks  made  at  the  end  of  the  list  of  Senators 

from  Alabama,  also  apply  to  her. 


MAINE. 


Maine  was  admitted  into  the  Union  on  the  15th  day  of 
March,  1820,  making  the  twenty-third  State.  She  has  an 
area  of  31,766  square  miles,  equal  to  20,330,240  acres.  In 


INDIVIDUAL    STATES. 


349 


1860  the  population  amounted  to  628,279,  in  view  of 
which  she  is  now  entitled  to  5  Representatives  in  Congress. 
Maine  forma  a  part  of  the  first  Judicial  Circuit,  and  con- 
stitutes one  Judicial  District.  This  State  has  13  ports  of 
entry,  and  32  ports  of  delivery.  Until  it  was  admitted 
into  the  Union,  it  formed  a  part  of  the  State  of  Massaclni' 
setts. 

Augusta  is  the  Capital.  The  State  elections  are  held  on 
the  second  Monday  of  September.  The  Legislature  meets 
on  the  first  Wednesday  of  January. 

The  enacting  clause  of  the  laws  is  in  the  following  words: 
"  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representa- 
tives in  Legislature  assembled." 


UNITED   STATES 

SENATOKS. 

John  Holmes,   from 

1820 

to 

1833 

John  Chandler,     " 

1820 

c; 

1829 

Albion  K.  Parris,  " 

1827 

It 

1829 

Peleg  Sprague,      " 

1829 

« 

1835 

Ether  Shepley,      " 

1833 

" 

1836 

John  Ruggles,       " 

1835 

It 

1841 

Judah  Dana,     .   "  .. 

1836 

" 

1837 

Reuel  Williams,    " 

1837 

" 

1843 

George  Evans,      " 

1841 

ll 

1847 

John  Fairfielcl,      " 

1843 

It 

1847 

Wynan  B.S.Moore" 

1848 

ll 

1848 

Jas.  "W.  Bradbury," 

1847 

ll 

1853 

Hannibal  llamlin,  " 

(  1848 

tt 

1857 

(  1857 

" 

1861 

Amos  Nourse,       " 

1857 

ll 

1857 

(  1863 

ll 

1864 

Wm.P.Fessenden," 

1  1865 

-tt-' 

1871 

350  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

Lot  M.  Merrill,   from  1861  to  1869 
Nath.  A.  Parwell,"      1864  "    1865 


MARYLAND. 

Maryland  is  one  of  the  original  thirteen  States;  and 
has  an  area  of  11,124  square  miles,  equal  to  7,119,360  acres. 
The  population  in  1860  was  687,049,  which  gives  her  five 
Representatives  in  Congress.  By  an  act  of  Congress 
passed  in  1866,  this  State  was  put  in  the  fourth  Judicial 
Circuit,  which  is  composed  of  Maryland,  Virginia,  West 
Virginia,  North  Carolina  and  South  Carolina.  Maryland 
constitutes  one  Judicial  District ;  has  ten  ports  of  entry, 
viz.,  Baltimore,  Chester,  Oxford,  Vienna,  Snow  Hill,  An- 
napolis, Nottingham,  St.  Mary's,  Georgetown  and  Havre 
de  Grace ;  and  twelve  ports  of  delivery. 

Annapolis  is  the  capital.  The  State  election  is  held  on 
the  first  Tuesday  of  November.  The  Legislature  meets 
on  the  first  Wednesday  of  January. 

The  enacting  clause  of  the  laws  is  as  follows  :  "  Bo  it 
enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  Maryland." 


INDIVIDUAL    STATES. 


351 


UNITED   STATES   SENATORS. 


Charles     Carroll,  )    ,. 
(of  Carrollton)    f  f] 

1789  to 

1793 

John  Henry,                   " 

1789  " 

1797 

Richard  Potts,                " 

1793  " 

1796 

John  E.  Howard,           " 

1796  " 

1803 

James  Lloyd,                 " 

1797  " 

1800 

William  Hindman,         " 

1800  " 

1801 

Robert  Wright,             " 

1801  " 

1806 

Samuel  Smith, 

j  1803  " 
(  1822  " 

1815 
1833 

Philip  Reed,                    " 

1806  " 

1813 

R.  H.  Goldsborough,      « 

j  1813  " 
(  1835  " 

1819 
1836 

Robert  G.  Harper,          " 

1816  " 

1816 

Alexander  C.  Hanson,  " 

1816  " 

1819 

William  Pinkney,           " 

1819  " 

1822 

Edward  Lloyd,              " 

1819  " 

1826 

Ezekiel  R  Chambers,     " 

1826  " 

1835 

Joseph  Kent,                 " 

1833  " 

1838 

John  S.  Spence,              " 

1836  " 

1841 

William  D.  Merrick,     " 

1838  " 

1845 

John  Leidsker,               " 

1841  " 

1843 

James  A.  Pearce,           " 

1843  " 

1862 

Reverdy  Johnson,     -;    «. 

j  1845  " 
(  1863  " 

1851 
1869 

David  Stewart,              " 

1849  « 

1850 

Thomas  G.  Pratt,           " 

1850  " 

1857 

Anthony  Kennedy,         " 

1857  " 

1863 

Thomas  H.  Hicks,          " 

1862  " 

1864 

John  A.  J.  Creswell,     " 

1865  " 

1867 

352  OUTLINED   OF   U.    S.    GOVERNMENT. 

Philip    F.  Thomas,    from    ?    to  1867 
George  Vickers,  "      1868  «  1871 


MASSACHUSETTS. 

Massachusetts  is  the  "  Bay  State,"  as  she  is  commonly 
called,  from  the  great  bays  indenting  her  eastern  shore, 
is  one  of  the  original  thirteen  States,  and  has  an  area  of 
7,800  square  miles,  equal  to  4,992,000  acres. 

Her  population  in  1860,  amounted  to  1,231,066,  which 
entitles  her  to  ten  members  of  Congress. 

Massachusetts  lies  in  the  first  Judicial  Circuit,  which  is 
composed  of  Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  New  Hamp- 
shire and  Maine — and  forms  one  Judicial  District. 

There  are  now  fourteen  ports  of  entry  in  this  State,  and 
twenty-five  ports  of  delivery.  These  have  been  so  often 
changed,  discontinued,  or  annexed  to  others,  and  will 
probably  be  hereafter,  that  we  omit  a  list  of  them,  and 
only  remark  that  Boston  is  the  principal  one. 

Boston  is  the  capital.  The  Legislature  meets  on  the 
first  Wednesday  of  January.  The  State  election  is  held 
on  the  first  Tuesday  in  November. 


INDIVIDUAL    STATES. 


353 


The  enacting  clause  of  ber  laws  is  ;  "  Be  it  enacted  by 
the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  in  general  court 
assembled,  and  by  the  authority  of  the  same,  as  follows." 


UNITED    STATES    SENATORS. 


Tristram    Dalton, 

from   1789  to  1791 

Caleb  Strong*, 

"     1789  "  1796 

George  Cabot, 

"     1791  "  1796 

Theo.  Sedgewick, 

"     1796  "  1799 

Benj.  Goodhue, 

"     1796  "   1800 

Samuel  Dexter, 

"     1799  "  1800 

D  wight  Foster, 

"     1800  "  1803 

Jonathan  Mason, 

"      1800  to  1803 

John  Q.  Adams, 

"       3803  "    1808 

Timothy  Pickering, 

"       1803  "    1811 

j  1808  "    1813 

James  Lloyd, 

{  1822  "    1826 

Joseph  B.  Varnum, 

«       1811   "    1817 

Christopher  Gore, 

"       1813  "    1816 

Eli  P.  Ashmun, 

"       1816  '«    1818 

Harrison  Gray  Otis, 

"       1817  "    1822 

Prentiss  Mellen, 

"       1818  "    1820 

Elijah  II.  Mills. 

"       1820  "    1827 

Nathaniel  Silsbec, 

"       1826  "    1835 

j  1827  "    1841 

Daniel  Webster, 

{  1845  <l    1850 

Rufus  Choate, 

"       1841   u    1845 

51835   «    1841 

John  Davis, 

1845   "    1847 

1847  "    1853 

Isaac  C.  Bates, 

"       1841   "    1845 

Robert  C.  Wiuthrop, 

"       1850  "    1851 

354  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

Robert     Rantoul,  from  1851  to  1851 

Charles  Sumner,  "  1851  "    1869 

Edward  Everett,  "  1853  "   1854 

Julius  Rockwell,  "  1854  "    1855 

Henry  Wilson,  "  1855  «   1871 


The  Territory  of  Michigan  was  changed  into  a  State,  on 
the  15th  day  of  June,  1836,  and  as  such  was  admitted  to 
all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  the  other  States ;  making 
the  twenty-fifth  State,  (Arkansas  was  admitted  on  the 
same  day).  Her  area  is  56,243  square  miles,  equal  to 
35,995,520  acres.  The  population  in  1860  was  749,113 
which  entitled  her  to  6  Representatives  in  Congress.  By 
act  of  1866,  Michigan  was  located  in  the  sixth  Judicial 
Circuit ;  and  forms  two  Judicial  Districts,  and  has  four 
Collection  Districts  and  four  ports  of  entry,  viz.,  Detroit, 
Port  Huron,  Grand  Haven,  and  Michilimackinac,  also  five 
ports  of  delivery,  (if  the  President  deem  them  necessary.) 

The  capital  is  Lansing.      The  State  election  is  held  OH 


INDIVIDUAL    STATES.  355 

the  first  Tuesday  of  November.      The  Legislature  meets 
biennially  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  January. 

The  enacting  clause  of  the  laws  is  as  follows :    "  The 
people  of  the  State  of  Michigan  enact." 

UNITED   STATES   SENATOKS. 

Lucius       Lyon,       from  1836  to  1839 

John  Norvall,  "  1836  "  1841 

Augustus  S.  Porter,  "  1839  "  1845 

Win.  Woodbridge,    "  1841  "  1847 

Lewis  Cass,  "  1845  "  1851 

Alpheus  Fitch,  "  1847  "1853 

Thomas  Fitzgerald,  *«  1848  "  1849 

Charles  E.  Stewart,  "  1853  "  1859 

Zachariah  Chandler,  "  1857  "  1869 

Kingsley  S.  Bingham"  1859  "  1861 

Jacob  M.  Howard,     «      1862  "  1871 

.     t ..    i-  , 


MINNESOTA. 

This  State  was  admitted  into  the  Union  on  the  llth 
day  of  May,  1858,  and  made  the  32nd  State.     It  has  an 


356  OUTLINES  OP  TJ.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

area  of  83,531  square  miles,  equal  to  53,459,840  acres. 
The  population  in  1860  amounted  to  172,123.  In  1862, 
an  act  was  passed  increasing  the  number  of  Representa- 
tives in  Congress  from  233  to  241.  This  increase  of  eight 
members  was  given  to  the  States  of  Pennsylvania,  Ohio, 
Kentucky,  Illinois,  Iowa,  Vermont,  Khode  Island  and 
Minnesota.  By  these  means  this  State  was  allowed  2 
members  of  Congress. 

•  It  lies  in  the  Eighth  Judicial  Circuit,  which  is  composed 
of  Missouri,  Iowa,  Kansas,  Arkansas  and  Minnesota. 
Minnesota  forms  one  Judicial  District,  and  has  no  ports 
of  entry  or  delivery. 

St.  Paul  is  the  capital.  The  Legislature  meets  biennially 
on  the  first  Tuesday  in  January.  The  State  election  is 
held  oa  the  first  Tuesday  in  November. 

UNITED  STATES  SENATORS. 

Henry  M.  Rice,  from  1857  to  1863 
James  Shields,  "  1857  "  1859 
Alex.  Ramsey,  "  1863  "  1869 
Daniel  Norton,  "  18*65  «  1871 
Mort.  S.  Wilkinson"  1859  "  1865 


INDIVIDUAL   STATES.  357 


MISSISSIPPI. 

The  Territory  of  Mississippi  became  a  State  in  1817; 
making  the  twentieth  State.  The  area  is  47,156  square 
miles,  equal  to  30,179,840  acres.  The  population  in  1860 
numbered  791,305  ;  which  entitled  her  to  5  Representa- 
tives in  Congress.  This  State  lies  in  the  Fifth  Judicial 
Circuit,  and  is  divided  into  two  Judicial  Districts,  viz , 
the  Northern  and  Southern  Districts  of  Mississippi.  She 
has  three  ports  of  entry,  viz.,  Natches,  Vicksburg,  and  one 
near  the  mouth  of  Pearl  river,  to  be  established  whenever 
the  President  directs ;  also  three  ports  of  delivery,  viz., 
Grand  Gulf,  Ship  Island  and  Columbus. 

Jackson  is  the  capital.  The  State  election  is  held  on 
the  first  Monday  of  October,  and  her  Legislature  meets 
biennally  on  the  first  Monday  in  January. 

The  enacting  clause  of  the  laws  is  in  these  words  :  "  Be 
it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of 
the  State  of  Mississippi  in  General  Assembly  convened." 

UNITED   STATES    SENATORS. 

Walter    Leake,      from  1817  to  1820 


358  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

David     Holmes,     from  1820  to  1825 

Powhattan  Ellis,        "  1825  "  1833 

Thomas  B.  Heed,        "  1826  "  1829 

Kobert  Adams,  "  1830  "  1830 

George  Poindexter,   "  1830  "  1835 

John  Black,  "  1832  "  1838 

R  J.  Walker,  "  1835  "  1845 

James  F/Trotter,       "  1838  "  1838 

John  Henderson,        "  1839  "  1845 

Jesse  Speight,  "  1845  "  1847 

Joseph  W.  Chambers,"  1845  "  1847 

(  1847  "  1851 
Jefferson  Davis,        "  j  Ig5?  „  Ig61 

Henry  S.  Foote,  "  1847  "  1853 

John  W.  Rea,  «  1851  «  1851 

Walter  Brooks,  "  1852  «  1853 

Stephen  Adams,  "  1852  "  1857 

Albert  G.  Brown,  "  1854  «  1861 

Mississippi  seceded  from  the  Union  in  1861,  and  is  there- 
fore in  the  same  condition  with  Alabama,  as  stated  at  the 
end  of  the  list  of  Senators  from  that  State. 


INDIVIDUAL    STATES.  359 


This  State  was  formed  out  of  a  part  of  the  Louisiana 
purchase,  and  was  admitted  in  1821}  making  the  24th 
State.  Missouri  is  very  large,  and  has  an  area  of  67,380 
square  miles,  equal  to  43,123,200  acres.  Her  population 
in  1860  amounted  to  1,182,012  which  entitles  her  now  to 
9  Representatives  in  Congress.  This  State  is  a  part  of 
the  Eighth  Judicial  Circuit,  and  formerly  was  one  Judicial 
District;  but  by  act  of  1857  was  divided  into  two,  the 
Eastern  and  Western.  It  has  no  port  of  entry,  and  but 
one  port  of  delivery,  viz.,  Hannibal. 

The  capital  is  Jefferson  City.  The  State  election  is 
held  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  November,  and  the  Legisla- 
ture meets  on  the  last  Monday  of  December. 

The  enacting  clause  of  the  laws  is  as  follows  :  "  Be  it 
enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Missouri, 
as  follows : 

UNITED   STATES   SENATORS. 

Thomas  II.  Benton,  from  1821  to  1851 
David  Barton,  "     1821  "  1831 


SCO  OUTLINES  OP  U.  S.   GOVERNMENT. 

Alexander  Buckner,  from  1831  to  183 3 
Lewis  F.  Linn,  "     1833  "  1843 

(  1843  "  1849 
David  R.  Atchison,        «  j  mo  «  185g 

Gratz  B.  Brown,  '«  1863  "  1867 

Henry  S.  Geyer,  «  1851  '«  1857 

Trusten  Polk,  "  1857  "  1861 

James  S.  Green,  "  1856  "  1861 

Waldo  P.  Johnson,  "  1861  "  1862 

John  B.  Henderson,  "  1862  "  1869 

Chas.  D.  Drake,  "  1867  "  1873 


NEBRASKA. 

This  State  was  admitted  into  the  Union  Feb.  9,  1867  ; 
making  the  37th  State.  It  has  an  area  of  122,007  square 
miles,  equal  to  78,084,480  acres.  The  population  when 
admitted  numbered  over  12,000.  It  is  entitled  to  one 
member  of  Congress,  is  in  the  Ninth  Judicial  Circuit,  forms 
one  Judicial  District ;  and  has  no  ports  of  entry  or  deliv- 
ery at  this  time. 

The  time  of  holding  the  State  election,  and  the  time  of 


INDIVIDUAL    STATES.  361 

meeting  of  the  Legislature,  are  not  now  known  by  the 
author. 

The  enacting  clause  of  her  laws  is  also  unknown. 

UNITED   STATES   SENATORS 

John  M.  Thayer,  from  1867  to  1871 
Thomas W.Tipton,"     1867  "  1869 


NEW   HAMPSHIRE. 

New  Hampshire  is  one  of  the  thirteen  original  States, 
and  has  an  area  of  9,280  squai-e  miles,  which  make  5,939,- 
200  acres;  also  a  population  in  1860  of  326,073,  which 
entitles  her  to  three  members  of  Congress. 

New  Hampshire  lies  in  the  first  Judicial  Circuit,  which 
is  composed  of  this  State,  Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island 
and  Maine.  It  constitutes  one  Judicial  District. 

The  whole  State  is  embraced  in  one  collection  District ; 
consequently  there  is  but  one  port  of  entry  in  the  State, 
that  is  at  Portsmouth.  There  are  also  three  ports  of  de- 
livery, to  wit :  New  Castle,  Dover  and  Exeter. 

The  capital  is  Concord.    Here  the  Legislature  assem- 


362  OUTLINES  OP  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

bles  on  the  first  Wednesday  in  June.     The  State  election 
is  held  on  the  second  Tuesday  in  March. 

The  enacting  clause  of  the  laws  is  as  follows  :  "  Be  it 
enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in 
general  assembly  convened." 

UNITED   STATES   SENATORS. 

Paine      Wingate,      from  1789  to  1793 

John  Langdon,  "  1789  "  1801 

Samuel  Livermore,  "  1793  "  1801 

Simeon  Olcott,  '«  1801  "  1805 

James  Sheafe,  "  1801  "  1802 

William  Plummer,  "  1802  «  1807 

Nicholas  Gilman,  "  1805  «  1814 

Nahum  Parker,  "  1807  "  1810 

Charles  Cutts,  '  "  1810  "  1813 

Jeremiah  Mason,  "  1813  «  1817 

Thos.  W.  Thompson,  "  1814  «  1817 

David  L.  Mori-ill,  "  1817  "  1823 

Clement  Storer,  "  1817  «  1819 

John  F.  Parrott,  "  1819  "  1825 

Samuel  Bell,  "  1823  "  1835 

LeviWoodbury,  «  {  iffl  "  JfS 

Isaac  Hill,  "  1831  «  1836 

Henry  Hubbard,  "  1835  "  1841 

John  Page,  "  183G  "  1837 

Franklin  Pierce,  .  ^  •  1837  "  1842 

Leonard  Wilcox,  "  1842  "  1842 


Charles  G.  Atherton,  t 

Benning  W.  Jenness,   «      1845  "  1846 


INDIVIDUAL  STATES.  363 

Joseph     Cilley,          from  1846  to  1847 


John  P.  Hale, 

«c  j  1847  « 
1  1855  " 

1853 

1865 

Moses  Norris, 

"      1849  •« 

1855 

Jared  W.  Williams, 

"      1853  " 

1854 

John  S.  Wells, 

"      1855  « 

1855 

James  Bell, 

"      1855  " 

1857 

Daniel  Clark, 

"      1857  " 

1866 

Aaron  A.  Cragin, 

"      1867  " 

1871 

James  W.  Paterson, 

"      1867  " 

1873 

George  C.  Fogg, 

«      1866  " 

1867 

NEW   JERSEY. 

New  Jersey  is  one  of  the  original  13  States,  and  has  an 
area  of  8,320  square  miles,  equal  to  5,324,800  acres.  The 
population  in  1860  numbered  672,035,  which  gives  her  now 
5  Representatives  in  Congress.  This  State  lies  in  the 
third  Judicial  Circuit,  which  is  composed  of  this  State  and 
of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  foi'ms  one  Judicial  Dis- 
trict. There  are  six  Collection  Districts,  and  conse- 
quently six  ports  of  entry  in  N.  Jersey,  viz.,  Perth  Am- 


364  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

boy,  Burlington,  Bridgeton,  Great  Egg  Harbor,  Little 
Egg  Harbor  and  Newark.  There  are  also  8  ports  of  de- 
livery. A  part  of  the  Eastern  shore  is  attached  to  the 
port  of  New  York. 

The  capital  of  New  Jersey  is  Trenton.  The  State  elec- 
tion is  held  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  November,  and  the 
Legislature  assembles  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  January. 

The  style  of  her  laws,  or  the  enacting  clause  thereof  is 
as  follows :  "  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  General 
Assembly  of  the  State  of  New  Jersey." 

UNITED   STATES    SENATORS. 

Jonathan     Elmer    from  1789  to  1791 

William  Patterson,       "  1789  "  1790 

Philemon  Dickerson,    "  1790  "  1793 

John  Rutherford,          "  1791  "  1798 

Fred'k  Frelinghuysen,"  1793  "  1796 

Richard  Stockton,         "  1796  "  1799 

Franklin  Davenport,    "  1798  "  1799 

James  Schureman,        "  1799  "  1801 

Jonathan  Dayton,         "  1799  "  1805 

Aaron  Ogden,               "  1801  "  1803 

John  Condit,                 "  1803  "  1811 

Aaron  Kitahell,            «'  1805  "  1809 

John  Lambert,              "  1809  "  1815 

Mahlon  Dickerson,       «  1817  "  1833 

James  J.  Wilson,        «  1815  «  1821 
\  1821  "  1823 
Samuel  L.  Southard,    "    \  ^^  «  IS^ 

Josepli  Mcllvaine,  "  1823  "  1826 
Thos.  Frelinghuysen,  "  1829  "  1835 
Ephraim  Bateman,  «  1826  "  1829 


INDIVIDUAL    STATES.  365 


Garret     D.     Wall,     from 

1835  to  1841 

Jacob  Miller,                 " 

1841  " 

1853 

William  L.  Dayton,     « 

1842  " 

1851 

John  B.  Thompson,      " 

1853  " 

1863 

William  Pennington,     " 

1858  " 

1858 

William  Wright, 

1853  " 

1859 

Robert  F.  Stockton,     " 

1851  « 

1853 

John  C.  Ten  Eyck,       " 

1859  " 

1865 

Richard  S.  Field,          « 

1862  « 

1863 

James  W.  Wall, 

1863  :< 

1863, 

John  P.  Stockton,         " 

1865  « 

1866 

F.  T.  Frelinghuyson,    " 

1867  " 

18G9 

Alexander  G.  Cattell,  "       1866  «  1871 


NEW  YORK. 

Tork  is  one  of  the  original  thirteen  States.  Its 
area  is  i7,000  square  miles,  equal  to  30,080,000  acres. 

By  the  last  census  (1860)  the  population  was  ascer- 
tained to  be  3,880,735— (4,000,000  at  this  time,  1866), 
which  gives  it  thirty-one  members  of  Congress. 

It  forms  part  of  the  Second  Judicial  Circuit,  which  con- 
sists of  New  York,  Vermont,  Connecticut ;  and  is  divided 


366  OUTLINES  OP  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

into  three  Judicial  Districts,  the  Northern,  Southern  and 
Eastern  (the  Eastern  was  formed  from  the  Southern,  Feb. 
26,  1865). 

THis  State  has  a  great  length  of  sea,  lake  and  river 
coast,  and  consequently  has  eleven  ports  of  entry,  viz., 
New  York,  Sag  Harbor,  Hudson,  Oswego,  Niagara,  Buf- 
falo Creek,  Oswegatchie,  Dunkirk,  Rouse's  Point,  Cape 
Vincent  and  Suspension  Bridge  ;  also  fourteen  ports  of 
delivery  ;  besides  which  the  President  is  authorised  to 
make  eight  or  nine  others  if  he  deems  it  necessary  to  do 
so.  The  ports  of  delivery  are  at  such  places  on  the  Hud- 
son River,  on  the  Long  Island  shores,  and  along  the  shores 
of  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  Lakes  Ontario,  Champlain,  nnd 
Erie,  as  the  trade  of  these  localities  requires.  Jersey  City 
in  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  is  also  attached  to  the  collec- 
tion District  of  New  York. 

The  capital  of  New  York  is  Albany.  The  State  elections 
are  held  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  November,  and  the  Legis- 
lature meets  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  January. 

The  style  of  the  laws,  or  the  enacting  clause  is  as  fol- 
lows :  "  Be  it  enacted  by  the  people  of  the  State  of  New 
York  represented  in  Senate  and  Assembly." 

• 

UNITED    STATES    SENATORS. 

Philip  Schuyler,         from   1789  to  1791 


Aaron  Burr,  "  1791   "  1797 

John  Lawrence,  "  179G  "  1800 

John  S.  Hobart,  "  1798  "  1798 

William  North,  "  1798  "  1708 


INDIVIDUAL    STATES.  367 


James  Watson, 

from 

1798 

Resigned. 

Governeur  Morris, 

u 

1800  to 

1803 

Dewitt  Clinton, 

(i 

1802  " 

1803 

Theodore  Bailey, 

u 

1803  " 

1804 

Samuel  L.  Mitchell, 

.( 

1804  " 

1809 

John  Smith, 

cc 

1804  " 

1813 

Obadiah  German, 

tt 

1809  " 

1815 

Nathan  Sandford, 

"I 

1815  « 
1825  " 

1831 

Martin  Van  Buren, 

u 

1821  " 

1829 

Charles  Dudley, 

a 

1829  " 

1833 

William  L.  Marcy, 

u 

1831  " 

1833 

Nath'l  P.  Tallmadge 

a 
1 

1833  « 

1844 

Silas  Wright, 

" 

1833  " 

1844 

Daniel  S.  Dickinson, 

U 

1844  " 

1851 

Henry  A  Foster. 

u 

1844  « 

1845 

John  A.  Dix, 

11 

1845  « 

1849 

William  H.  Seward, 

(1 

1849  " 

1861 

Hamilton  Fish, 

(« 

1851  " 

1857 

Preston  King, 

u 

1857  « 

1863 

Ira  Harris, 

a 

1861  " 

1867 

Edwin  D.  Morgan, 

it 

1863  " 

1869 

Roscoe  Conkling, 

u 

1867  " 

1873 

368  OUTLINES  OF   U.    S.   GOVERNMENT. 


NORTH   CAROLINA. 

This  State  is  also  one  of  the  original  13  States,  and  has 
an  area  of  50,704  square  miles,  equal  to  32,450,560  acres, 
with  a  population  of  992,622,  (one  third  colored),  which 
entitles  her  to  7  members  of  Congress.  North  Carolina, 
by  act  of  1866,  was  located  in  the  fourth  Judicial  Circuit, 
which  is  composed  of  Maryland,  Virginia,  West  Virginia, 
North  Carolina  and  South  Carolina,  and  is  divided  into  3 
Judicial  Districts,  called  the  districts  of  Albemarle,  Pam- 
lico,  and  Cape  Fear.  The  Collection  Districts,  and  the 
ports  of  entry  and  delivery  in  this  State,  have  been  so 
often  modified  and  discontinued,  that  there  is  some  uncer- 
tainty as  to  the  number  at  this  time.  We  can  only  make 
an  approximate  statement.  There  are  as  near  as  we  can 
determine,  10  districts,  10  ports  of  entry,  and  9  ports  of 
delivery. 

Raleigh  is  the  capital.  There  the  Legislature  meets 
biennially  on  the  third  Monday  of  November.  The  State 
election  is  held  on  the  second  Thursday  in  August. 

The  enacting  clause  of  the  laws  is  as  follows,  "  Be  it 
enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  North 
Cai-olina,  and  it  is  hereby  enacted  by  the  authority  of  the 
same." 


INDIVIDUAL   STATES.  369 

UNITED   STATES   SENATORS 

Samuel  Johnson,   from  1789  to  1793 


Benjamin  Hawkins,   " 

1789  " 

1795 

Alexander  Martin,      " 

1793  " 

1799 

Timothy  Blood  worth  " 

1795  " 

1801 

1 

j  1799  " 

1805 

Jesse  Franklin, 

[  1707  « 

1813 

David  Stone,               " 

1801  " 

1813 

James  Turner,            " 

1805  " 

1816 

Nathaniel  Macon,      " 

1815  " 

1828 

James  Iredell,             " 

1828  " 

1831 

Montfort  Stokes,        " 

1816  " 

1823 

John  Branch,              " 

1823  " 

1829 

Bedford  Brown,         " 

1829  " 

1840 

j 

j  1840  " 

1853 

Willie  P.  Mangum,     "  i 

[  1831  " 

1836 

Robert  Strange,         " 

1836  " 

1840 

William  A,  Graham,  " 

1840  " 

1843 

William  H.  Haywood" 

1843  " 

1846 

George  E.  Badger,     " 

1846  " 

1855 

Asa  Biggs,                 " 

1854  " 

1858 

David  S.  Reed, 

1855  " 

1859 

Thos.  L.  Clingman,     " 

1858  " 

1861 

Thomas  Bragg,          " 

1859  " 

1861 

370  OUTLINES  OF  U.   S.   GOVERNMENT. 


Nevada  was  admitted  as  a  State,  March  21st,  18G4; 
making  the  36th  State  in  the  Union. 

It  has  an  area  of  63,473  square  miles,  or  40,622,720 
acres.  The  population  in  1 860,  (while  yet  a  Territory) 
was  6,857,  but  had  greatly  increased  at  the  tune  of  ad- 
mission. In  conformity  with  the  constitutional  provision 
that  every  State  shall  have  one  Representative  in  Con- 
gress, Nevada  has  one.  This  State  lies  in  the  Ninth 
Judicial  Circuit,  and  forms  one  Judicial  District,  called 
the  District  of  Nevada 

Virginia  City  is  the  capital.  The  State  election  is  held 
on  the  first  Tuesday  in  November ;  and  the  Legislature 
meets  on  the  first  Monday  in  January. 

The  enacting  clause  of  the  laws  is  in  the  following 
words  :  "  The  people  of  the  State  of  Nevada,  represented 
in  Senate  and  Assembly,  do  enact  as  follows." 

UNITED   STATES   SENATORS. 

James  W.  Nye,          from  1865  to  1871 
William  M.  Stewart,    "      1865  "  1869 


INDIVIDUAL    STATES/  371 


OHIO. 

>  Ohio  was  admitted  into  the  Union,  from  what  was  then 
known  as  the  North  Western  Territory,  in  1802,  and  made 
the  seventeenth  State, 

It  has  an  area  of  39,964  square  miles,  equal  to  25,576,- 
960  acres.  The  population  in  1860  was  2,339,511,  en- 
titling it  to  nineteen  members  of  Congress. 

It  is  in  the  Sixth  Judicial  Circuit,  and  forms  two  Judi- 
cial Districts,  viz.,  the  Northern  and  Southern  Districts  of 
Ohio. 

This  State  has  three  ports  of  entry,  to  wit ;  Cleveland, 
Toledo,  and  Portland ;  and  four  ports  of  delivery,  to  bo 
located  where  the  President  directs. 

The  capitol  of  this  State  is  Columbus.  The  State  elec- 
tion is  now  held  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  October.  The 
Legislature  meets  on  the  first  Monday  of  January,  bien- 
nially. 

The  enacting  clause  of  the  laws  is  as  follows :  "  Be  it 
enacted  by  the  general  assembly  of  the  State  of  Ohio." 

UNITED  STATES  SENATORS. 

John    Smith,  from  1803  to  1808 


OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


Edward  Tiffin, 

1807  " 

1809 

Return  J.  JVleigs,           " 

1808  " 

1810 

Stanley  Griswold,        " 

1809  " 

1809 

Alexander  Campbell,    " 

1809  " 

1813 

Jeremiah  Morrow,        " 

1813  " 

1819 

Joseph  Kerr, 

1814  « 

1815 

Benjamin  Ruggles,       " 

1815  « 

1833 

William  A.  Trimble     " 

1819  " 

1821 

Ethan  A.  Brown,          " 

1822  " 

1825 

Wm.  Henry  Harrison,  " 

1825  « 

1828 

Jacob  Burnett,              " 

1828  " 

1831 

Thomas  Ewing,             "   . 

(  1831   " 

j  1850  " 

1837 
1851 

Thomas  Morris,            " 

1833   " 

1839 

William  Allen,     '         " 

1837  " 

1849 

Benjamin  Tappan,         " 

1839  " 

1845 

Thomas  Corwin, 

1845  " 

1851 

Salmon  P.  Chase,          " 

1849  " 

1855 

Benjamin  F.  Wade,      " 

1851   " 

1869 

George  Ellis  Pugh,       " 

1851   " 

1861 

John  Sherman,              " 

1861  " 

1873 

INDIVIDUAL  STATES. 


873 


OREGON. 

Oregon  was  admitted  into  the  Union  as  a  State  on  the 
14th  day  of  February,  1859 ;  and  made  the  33rd  State. 
It  has  an  area  of  95,274  square  miles,  which  is  equal  to 
60,975,360  acres.  The  population  in  1860  amounted  to 
52,465,  which  did  not  reach  the  number  required  to  en- 
title it  to  a  member  of  Congress  according  to  the  fixed 
ratio.  But  every  State  is  entitled  to  one  member,  what- 
ever its  population  may  be.  By  act  of  1866,  the  States 
of  Oregon,  Nevada,  and  California,  were  constituted  the 
Ninth  Judicial  Circuit.  Oregon  forms  one  Judicial  Dis- 
trict, and  has  one  Collection  District,  and  one  port  of 
entry. 

The  capital  is  Salem,  where  her  Legislature  meets  once 
in  two  years,  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  September.  The 
State  election  is  held  on  the  first  Monday  hi  June. 

UNITED   STATES   SENATORS. 

Joseph  Lane,  from  1859  to  1861 
Dclazon  Smith,  "  1859  "  1860 
Edward  D.  Baker,  "  1861  "  1861 


374  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

Benj .  F.  Harding,  from  1 862  to    ? 
Jas.  W.  Nesmith,    "     1861  "  1867 
Benjamin  Stark,      "     1861  "  1862 
Geo.  H.  Williams,  «     1865  «  1871 
Henry  W.  Corbell,"     1867  "  1873 


PENNSYLVANIA. 

Pennsylvania  is  one  of  the  orginal  thirteen  States,  and 
is  often  figuratively  called  the  Keystone  State,  from  the 
central  position  she  occupied  in  the  original  number  of 
States. 

Its  area  in  square  miles  is  46,000,  equal  to  29,440,000 
acres.  The  population  in  1860  amounted  to  2,906,115, 
vhich  entitles  her  to  twenty-four  members  of  Congress. 

Pennsylvania  lies  in  the  Third  Judicial  Circuit,  which 
i&  composed  of  this  State  and  New  Jersey.  It  forms  two 
Judicial  Districts,  viz.,  the  Eastern  and  Western  Districts 
of  Pennsylvania. 

There  are  two  collection  Districts  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
consequently  two  ports  of  entry,  viz.,  Philadelphia  and 
Erie. 


INDIVIDUAL   STATES.  375 

Harrisburgh  is  the  capital.  There  the  Legislature  assem- 
bles on  the  first  Tuesday  in  January ;  the  State  election 
is  held  on  the  second  Tuesday  in  October. 

The  enacting  clause  of  her  laws  is :  "  Be  it  enacted  by 
the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Common- 
wealth of  Pennsylvania  in  general  assembly  met ;  and  it 
is  hereby  enacted  by  the  authority  of  the  same." 

UNITED    STATES    SENATORS. 


William  Maclay,        from 

1789  to  1791 

Robert  Morris,              " 

1789  "  1795 

Albert  Gallatin,            " 

1793  "  1794 

James  Ross, 

1794  «  1803 

William  Bingham,        " 

1795  "  1801 

Peter  Muhlenburgh,      " 

1801  "  1802 

Samuel  Maclay,             " 

1803  "  1808 

Michael  Leib,                " 

1808  «  1814 

Andrew  Gregg,            " 

1807  "  1813 

Abner  Lacock.              " 

1813  "  1819 

Jonathan  Roberts,        " 

1814  "  1821 

Walter  Lawrie,             " 

1819  "  1825 

William  Findlay,          " 

1821   "  1827 

William  Marks,            " 

1825  "  1831 

Isaac  D.  Barnard,         " 

1827  "  1831 

George  M.  Dallas,         " 

1831  "  1833 

William  Wilkins,         " 

1831  "  1834 

Samuel  McKean,          " 

1833  "  1839 

James  Buchanan,          " 

1834  "  1845 

Daniel  Sturgeon,           " 

1839  "  1851 

,  -.! 

(  1845  "  1849 

Simon  Cameron,            "  • 

1857  "  1861 

1867  "  1873 


376  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

James  Cooper,  from   1849  to  1855 

Charles  R.  Buckalew,  "/     1863  "  1869 

Richard  Broadhead.  "  1851  "  1857 

William  Bigler,  «  1855  "  1861 

Edgar  Cowan,  "  1861  "  1867 

David  Wilmot,  "  1861  "  1863 


RHODE    ISLAND. 

Rhode  Island  is  one  of  the  original  13  States,  but  had 
no  delegates  in  the  Convention  which  formed  the  Consti- 
tution of  the  United  States.  She  and  Delaware  are  the 
two  little  States,  Rhode  Island  being  the  smallest  State  in 
the  Union,  having  an  area  of  only  1,306  square  miles, 
which  make  835,840  acres.  Her  population  in  1860  was 
174,620,  which  entitled  her  to  2  members  of  Congress. 
Rhode  Island  forms  part  of  the  first  Judicial  Circuit, 
which  consists  of  the  States  of  Ehode  Island,  Massachu- 
setts, New  Hampshire  and  Maine ;  constitutes  one  Judicial 
District,  called  the  District  of  Rhode  Island,  has  3  ports 


INDIVIDUAL    STATES.  377 

of  entry,  viz.,  Newport,  Providence,  and  Bristol,  and  also 
7  ports  of  delivery. 

Small  as  this  State  is  it  has  two  capitals,  or  places 
where  the  Legislature  meets,  viz.,  Newport  and  Provi- 
dence. The  State  election  is  held  on  the  first  "Wednesday 
in  April.  The  Legislature  meets  twice  in  a  year,  in  May 
and  January. 

The  style  of  her  laws,  or  the  enacting  clause  of  them  is 
as  follows  ;  "  It  is  enacted  by  the  general  assembly  as 
follows." 

UNITED   STATES    SENATORS. 

Theodore  Foster,    from  1790  to  1803 

Joseph  Stanton,          "  1790  "  1793 

William  Bradford,     ««  1793  "  1797 

Ray  Green,                  "  1797  "  1801 

Charles  Ellery,           "  1801  "  1805 

Samuel  L.  Potter,       "  1803  "  1804 

Benjamin  Howland,  "  1804  "  1809 

James  Fenner,            "  1805  "  1807 

Elisha  Matthewson,    "  1807  "  1811 

Frances  Malbone,        "  1809  "  1809 

C.  G.  Champlin,          "  1809  "  1811 

Jeremiah  B.  Howell,  "  1811  "  1817 

William  Hunter,         "  1811  "  1821 

James  Burrill,            "  1817  "  1821 

James  D'Wolf,            "  1821  "  1825 

Nehemiah  R  Knight,"  1821  "  1841 

Asher  Bobbins,           "  1825  "  1839 

Nathan  F.  Dixon,       "  1839  "  1842 

1841  «  1847 


_ 

James  F.  Simmons,  « 


378           OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.   GOVERNMENT. 

William  Sprague,  from  1842  to  1844 

John  B.Francis,  "     1844  «  1845 

Albert  C.  Green,  "     1845  "  1851 

John  H.  Clarke,  "     1847  "  1853 

Charles  T.  James,  "     1851  "  1857 

Philip  Allen,  "     1853  "  1859 


Henry 

William  Sprague,       "     1862  "  1869 
Samuel  G.*  Arnold,    "    1862  "  1863 


SOUTH   CAROLINA. 

South  Carolina  is  one  of  the  original  thirteen  States, 
and  has  an  area  of  29,385  square  miles,  which  make 
18,806,400  acres ;  with  a  population  in  1860,  of  703,708, 
(over  half  colored)  which  gives  her  four  members  of  Con- 
gress. 

By  act  of  1866,  South  Carolina  was  located  in  the 
Fourth  Judicial  Circuit ;  it  is  divided  into  two  Judicial 
Districts,  called  the  Eastern  and  Western  Districts  of 
South  Carolina. 


INDIVIDUAL    STATES.  379 

There  are  three  collection  Districts  in  this  State,  and 
four  ports  of  entry,  to  wit  :  Georgetown,  Charleston, 
Beaufort  and  Port  Royal;  but  no  ports  of  delivery. 

The  Capital  is  Columbia.  The  State  elections  are  held 
on  the  fourth  Monday  of  November.  The  Legislature 
meets  on  the  third  Wednesday  of  October. 

The  enacting  clause  of  the  laws  is  as  follows  :  "  Be  it 
enacted  by  the  honorable  the  Senate  and  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, now  met,  and  sitting  in  general  assembly,  and 
by  authority  of  the  same." 

South  Carolina  made  herself  conspicuous  by  taking  the 
lead  in  the  recent  rebellion  against  the  United  States.  She 
first  seceded,  and  was  the  first  to  commence  hostilities,  by 
firing  on  a  United  States  vessel  in  the  harbor  of  Charles- 
ton, and  then  on  Fort  Sumter,  one  of  the  United  States 
forts  near  the  city. 

UNITED    STATES    SENATORS. 

Pierce  Butler,  from  j  J™j  *?  JJj* 

Ralph  Izard  "  1789  "  1795 

Jacob  Read,  "  1795  "  1801 

John  Hunter,  "  1796  "  1798 

Charles  Pinckney,  "  1798  "  1801 

Thomas  Sumpter,  "  1801  "  1810 

JohnEwingCalhoun,"  1801  "  1802 

John  Gaillard,  "  1804  "  1826 

John  Taylor,  "  1810  "  1816 


William  Harper,        «         182G  "  1826 
Robert  J.  Hayne,        "         1823  "  1832 


380  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

Stephen  D.  Miller,  from     1831  to  1833 
JohnC.Calhoun,       « 


William  C.  Preston,   "        1833  "  1842 

Daniel  E.  Huger,       "        1842  "  1845 

George  McDuffie,       «        1842  "  1846 

Andrew  P.  Butler,     "        1846  "  1857 

Franklin  H.  Elmore,  "         1850  "  1850 

Robert  W.  Barn  well,"         1850  "  1853 

Wm.  Desaussure,        «        1852  "  1853 

Josiah  Evans,  "        1852  "  1858 

James  II.  Hammond,"        1857  '•  1860 

James  Chestnut,         "        1858  "  1861 

Arthur  P.  Hayne,       "        1858  "      ? 

South  Cai'olina  being  one  of  the  seceding   States,  has, 

since  1861,  been  in  the  same  condition  as  Alabama.  Seo 

note  at  the  end  of  list  of  Senators  from  that  State. 


TENNESSEE. 


Tennessee  was  admitted  into  the  Union,  June  1,  1796, 
and  made  the  sixteenth  State.  It  has  an  area  of  45,600 
square  miles,  equal  to  29,184,000  acres.  The  population 


INDIVIDUAL    STATES. 


381 


in  1860  numbered  1,109,801.  It  has  now  eight  Represen. 
tatives  in  Congress,  is  in  the  sixth  Judicial  Circuit,  forms 
three  Judicial  Districts,  and  has  two  ports  of  delivery, 
Memphis  and  Knoxville.  Before  Tennessee  was  admitted 
it  formed  a  part  of  North  Carolina. 

Nashville  is  the  capital.  The  State  election  is  held  on 
the  first  Thursday  in  August ;  and  on  the  first  Monday  of 
October  the  Legislature  meets,  once  in  two  years. 

The  enacting  clause  of  the  laws  of  this  State  is  as  fol- 
lows :  "  Be  it  enacted  by  the  general  assembly  of  the 
State  of  Tennessee." 

UNITED    STATES    SENATORS. 

William     Blount, 
William  Cocke, 

Andrew  Jackson, 

Joseph  Anderson, 
Daniel  Smith, 
Jenkin  Whiteside, 
Geo.  W.  Campbell, 
Jesse  Wharton, 
John  Williams, 
John  H.  Eaton, 
Hugh  L.  White, 
Felix  Grundy, 

Ephraim  II.  Foster, 

A.  O.  P.  Nicholson, 
Alexander  Anderson, 
Spencer  Jarnagiu, 


from 

1796  to 

1797 

"1 

1796  " 
1799  " 

1797 
1805 

;;! 

1797  " 
1823  " 

1798 
1825 

1797  " 

1815 

u 

1797  " 

1809 

" 

1809  " 

1811 

" 

1811  " 

1818 

u 

1814  " 

1815 

a 

1815  " 

1823 

« 

1818  " 

1829 

it 

1825  " 

1840 

tt 

1829  " 

1840 

"I 

1838  " 
1843  " 

1839 

1845 

u 

1840  " 

1843 

,   « 

1840  " 

1841 

" 

1841  " 

1847 

382  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

Hopkins  L.  Turney,  from  1845  to  1851 
John  Bell,  "  1847  "  1853 

James  C.  Jones,  "  1851  "  1857 

Andrew  Johnson,  "  1857  "  1863 

David  T.  Patterson,  "  1865  "  1869 
J.  S.  Fowler,  "  1865  "  1871 

Tennessee  was  one  of  the  seceding  States  in  1861,  but, 

came  back  in  1866.      Between  these  two  periods  she  was 

unrepresented  in  the  United  States  Senate. 


The  history  of  this  State  is  unlike  that  of  any  other  be- 
longing to  the  Union.  It  is  not  one  of  the  original  States ; 
neither  was  it  first  formed  into  a  Territory  and  afterwards 
changed  into  a  State.  Down  to  1836,  Texas  was  a  part 
of  Mexico;  at  that  time  the  people  of  this  Mexican  prov- 
ince or  colony,  revolted  against  the  Mexican  authority, 
and,  after  a  short  war  with  that  power,  gained  their  inde- 
pendence and  established  a  government  of  their  own. 
This  they  called  the  "  Republic  of  Texas."  But  it  was 
a  small  and  feeble  power,  and  could  not  sustain  itself  as 


INDIVIDUAL   STATES.  883 

an  independent  nation.  In  this  helpless  condition,  she 
applied  to  the  United  States  Government  for  permission 
to  unite  herself  with  it.  The  request  was  listened  to,  and 
favorably  received  by  the  United  States.  The  proposi- 
tion was  accepted,  and  in  1845,  Texas  was  admitted, — 
making  the  28th  State, — and  became  a  part  of  the  "  Great 
Republic."  Though  larger  than  five  such  States  as  New 
York,  she  has  continued  to  this  day  a  single  State,  be- 
cause her  population  has  remained  so  small.  But  in  the 
act  of  admission,  it  was  provided  that  Texas  might  be 
divided  into  four  new  States,  besides  that  of  Texas,  mak- 
ing five  in  all.  When  this  shall  be  done,  all  will  be  large 
States.  The  whole  area  of  Texas  is  237,504  square  miles, 
which  make  152.002,560  acres.  The  population  in  1860 
— 15  years  after  her  admission, — was  only  604,215,  which 
entitles  her  to  4  members  of  Congress.  Texas  lies 
in  the  fifth  Judicial  Circuit,  and  makes  two  Judicial 
Districts,  the  Eastern  and  Western. 

There  are  three  Collection  Districts  in  this  State.  The 
respective  ports  of  entry  for  these  Districts  are,  Galves- 
ton,  Lasalle,  and  Brazos  Santiago.  To  these  are  attached 
nine  ports  of  delivery. 

The  capital  is  Austin,  where  the  Legislature  meets 
biennially  on  the  first  Monday  of  November.  The  State 
election  is  held  on  the  first  Monday  in  August. 

UNITED    STATES    SENATORS. 

Thomas  F.  Rusk,         from  1846  to  1856 
Samuel  Houston,  "     1846  "  1859 

Pinckney  J.  Henderson,"     1857  "  1858 
Matthias  Ward,  "     1858  "  1861 


384  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOYKKXMENT. 

John  Hemphill,  from  1853  to  1861 
Lewis  T.  Wigfall,  "  1859  "  1861 

Texas  was  one  of  the  seceding  States  ;  and  therefore 

the  remarks  made  at  the  end  of  the  list  of  Senators  from 

Alabama,  apply  to  her. 


Vermont  was  admitted  into  the  Union,  March  4th,  1791, 
making  the  14th  State. 

It  has  an  area  of  10,212  square  miles,  equal  to  6,535,680 
acres.  The  population  in  1860,  numbered  315,098.  It 
now  has  three  Representatives  in  Congress  ;  forms  part  of 
the  Second  Judicial  Ciivuit;  constitutes  one  Judicial  Dis- 
trict; has  one  port  of  entry,  located  at  such  place  as  may 
be  named  by  the  President,  who  may  also  designate  two 
places  in  the  State  as  ports  of  delivery. 

Vermont  was  the  first  new  State  admitted  into  the 
Union,  and  thus  made  the  14th  State. 

Montpelier  is  the  capital.  The  State  election  is  held  on 
the  second  Tuesday  in  September,  and  the  Legislature 
meets  on  the  second  Thursday  in  October. 


INDIVIDUAL    STATES.  385 

The  enacting  clause  of  the  laws  is:  "It  is  hereby 
enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Ver- 
mont." 

UNITKD   STATES   SENATORS. 

\ 

Moses     llobinson,     .from     1791  to  1796 
(  1791  "1795 


Stephen  K.  Uradley, 

fltOl  " 

1813 

Elijah  Pairie,                 " 

1795  " 

1801 

Isaac  Tichenor,              " 

j  179G  " 
(  1815  " 

1797 
1821 

Nathaniel  Chipman,      " 

1797  " 

1803 

Israel  Smith,                  " 

j  1801  " 
(  1803" 

1802 
1807 

Jonathan  Robinson,       " 

1807  " 

1815 

Dudley  Chase,               " 

j  1813  « 
}  1825  " 

1817 
1831 

James  Fisk,                    " 

1817  " 

1817 

William  A.  Palmer,     " 

ISIS  " 

1825 

Horatio  Seymour,          " 

1S21  " 

1833 

Samuel  Prentiss,            " 

1831  " 

1842 

Benjamin  Swift,             u 

1833  " 

1839 

Samuel  S.  Phelps,          " 

1839  « 

1851 

Samuel  C.  Crafts,          " 

1842  " 

1843 

William  Upliain,            " 

1843  " 

]855 

Solomon  Foote,              " 

1851  " 

1866 

Samuel  S.  Phelps,          " 

1853  " 

1854 

Drainard  Lawrence,      " 

1854  " 

1855 

Jacob  Col  lamer,            " 

1854  " 

1865 

Luke  P.  Poland,            " 

1S65  " 

1867 

George  F.  Edmunds,     " 

1866  " 

1869 

Justin  S.  Mori-ill,            u 

1867  « 

1873 

R                     

386  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.    GOVERNMENT. 


VIRGINIA. 

Virginia  is  also  one  of  the  original  thirteen  States,  and 
had  an  area  previous  to  the  division  in  1862,  of  61,352 
square  miles,  equal  to  39,265,280  acres ;  but  after  West 
Virginia  was  set  off  as  a  separate  State,  there  were  but 
38,352  square  miles  left  of  this  once  great  State,  equal  to 
24,545,280  acres. 

The  population  in  1860  amounted  to  1,596,318,  which 
entitled  the  State  to  eleven  members  of  Congress.  By  the 
division  the  number  of  Eepresentatives  was  cut  down  to 
eight ;  the  new  State  receiving  three  out  of  the  eleven. 

Virginia  lies  in  the  Fourth  Judicial  Circuit,  which  by 
the  act  of  1866  was  composed  of  this  State,  Maryland, 
West  Virginia,  North  Carolina  and  South  Carolina. 
There  were  two  Judicial  Districts  in  this  State,  anterior 
to  the  division,  the  Eastern  and  the  Western.  There  is 
now  but  one. 

There  were  also  twelve  collection  Districts  in  this  State, 
and  twelve  ports  of  entry,  all  of  which  remain  the  same  as 
they  were  before  "West  Virginia  was  cut  off,  for  they  were 
all  located  on  the  Atlantic  coast,  or  on  the  bays  and  rivers 
running  into  the  Atlantic  Ocean  ;  there  arc  also  ten  ports 
of  delivery. 


INDIVIDUAL    STATES.  387 

Richmond  is  the  capital.  The  State  election  is  held  on 
the  fourth  Thursday  of  May.  The  Legislature  meets 
biennially  on  the  second  Monday  of  January. 

The  enacting  clause  of  the  laws  of  Virginia  is  :  "  Be  it 
enacted  by  the  General  Assembly." 

"When  the  United  States  Government  was  formed, 
Virginia  was  the  largest,  most  populous  and  influential 
State  in  the  Union.  But  after  1810  she  fell  behind  New 
York  in  population  ;  and  in  1860,  she  had  fallen  to  the  fifth 
position  in  this  respect.  The  division  has  reduced  her 
much  below  that  point. 

This  State  is  often  called  "  The  Old  Dominion,"  because 
it  was  the  first  settled  by  whites  after  the  discovery  of 
Americar  an  English  colony  being  planted  here  in  1607. 

"  The  Mother  of  Presidents,"  is  another  appellation 
often  given  to  her,  because  four  of  the  Presidents  were 
Viginians,  viz.,  Washington,  Jefferson,  Madison  and  Mon- 
roe. She  was  also  the  birthplace  of  several  others,  viz., 
Jackson,  Harrison  and  Taylor. 

•'  The  Old  Dominion"  is  now  divided  into  two  States, 
Virginia  and  "West  Virginia.  Her  political  power  and 
influence  have  dwindled  into  insignificance. 


UNITED   STATES   SENATORS. 

William  Grayson,  from  1789  to  1790 

Richard  H.  Lee,  "  1789  "  1792 

John  Walker,  "  1790  "  1790 

James  Monroe,  "  1790  "  1794 

(1792  "  1794 

John  Taylor,  "  •]  1803  "  1805 

(  1822  "  1824 

Stephen  T.  Mason,  "  1794  "  1803 


388  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

John    Tazewcll,          from  1794  to  1799 

Wilson  C.  Nichols,        "  1799  "  1804 

Abraham  B.  Venable,  "  1803  "  1804 

William  B.  Giles,         "  1804  "  1815 

Andrew  Moore,  "  1804  "  1809 

Richard  Brent,  "  1809  "  1815 

James  Barbour,  "  1815  "  1825 

Armistead  T.  Mason,    "  1816  "  1817 

John  W.  Eppes,  "  1817  "  1819 

James  Pleasants,  "  1819  "  1822 

John  Randolph,  "  1825  "  1827 

Littleton  W.  Tazewell,"  1824  "  1832 

John  Tyler,  "  1827  "  1836 

William  C.  Rives,          "   J  "32  «  1834 
1  1836  "  1845 

Benjamin  W.  Leigh,  "  1834  "  1836 
Richard  E.  Parker,  "  1836  "  1837 
William  II.  Roane,  "  1837  "  1841 
William  S.  Archer,  "  1841  "  1847 
Isaac  S.  Pennybacker,  "  1845  "  1847 
James  M.  Mason,  "  1847  "  1861 
R.  M.  T.  Hunter,  "  1847  "  1861 

Virginia  was  one  of  the  seceding  States  in  1861,  and 
from  that  time  to  this  (end  of  1867)  she  lias  been  unrepre- 
sented in  the  Senate. 


INDIVIDUAL    STATES.  389 


WEST   VIRGINIA. 

There  is  a  peculiarity  in  the  description  of  this  new 
State.  It  formed  a  part  of  one  of  the  original  13  States, 
but  yet  is  a  new  State,  and  was  admitted  fully  in  1863. 
Although  the  act  of  Congress  making  it  a  State  was 
passed  on  the  31st  of  December,  1862,  it  was  with  the 
proviso,  that  it  should  not  take  effect  until  60  days  after 
a  proclamation  issued  by  the  President,  giving  notice  to 
the  world  that  West  Virginia  had  been  admitted  as  a  sov- 
ereign State,  and  that  it  formed  one  of  the  United  States 
of  America.  This  proclamation  was  not  issued  until  the 
year  1863;  60  days  after  which  the  law  took  effect  and 
West  Virginia  became  a  State  on  an  equal  footing  with 
all  the  other  States.  We  have  not  the  date  of  the  pro- 
clamation, and  cannot  therefore  name  the  day  when  the 
act  went  into  full  operation. 

This  is  the  only  case  in  which  a  State  has  been  divided 
into  two.  The  Constitution  contains  a  provision  for  mak- 
ing such  division,  in  case  it  should  be  desirable,  and  upon 
certain  conditions,  which  were  complied  with  in  the  case 
of  Virginia.  As  stated  in  another  place,  this  event  grew 
out  of  the  late  rebellion.  Virginia  seceded  with  others  of 


S90  OUTLINES  OF  U    S.  GOVERNMENT. 

the  slave  States,  but  that  part  of  the  State  lying  west  of 
the  Alleghany  mountains,  consisting  of  48  counties,  re- 
fused to  go  with  the  Eastern  part,  seceded  from  it,  and 
Bet  up  a  separate  State  government,  which  was  then  re- 
cognized by  Congress,  and  admitted  into  the  Union.  Thus 
West  Virginia  became  a  new  State,  made  out  of  an  old 
one.  When  admitted  it  made  the  35th  State.  It  has  an 
area  of  23,000  square  miles,  equal  to  14,720,000  acres. 

The  population  in  I860  was  349,628,  which  gives  her  3 
members  of  Congress.  West  Virginia  was  subsequently 
put  into  the  Fourth  Judicial  Circuit,  and  constitutes  one 
Judicial  District.  Parkcrsburg  also  was  made  a  port  of 
delivery. 

Wheeling  is  the  capital.  The  State  election  is  held  on 
the  fourth  Thursday  in  October.  The  Legislature  meets 
on  the  third  Tuesday  in  January. 

UNITED    STATES    SENATORS. 

Peter  G.  Van  Winkle,  from  18C3  to  1809 
WaitmanT.Willey,         "     1803  «  1871 


INDIVIDUAL    STATES.  591 


WISCONSIN. 

Wisconsin  was  admitted  as  a  State  into  the  Union  on 
the  29th  of  May,  1848,  and  made  the  thirtieth  State. 
It  has  an  area  of  53,924  square  miles,  equal  to  34,511,360 
acres.  The  population  in  1860  amounted  to  775,881, 
•which  gave  her  6  members  of  Congress.  Wisconsin  lies 
in  the  seventh  Judicial  Circuit,— which  is  composed  of 
Wisconsin,  Indiana  and  Illinois, — and  forms  one  Judicial 
District.  It  has  one  Collection  District,  one  port  of  entry, 
viz.,  Milwaukee,  and  five  ports  of  delivery,  viz.,  Southport, 
Racine,  Sheboygan,  Green  Bay  and  Deperc. 

The  capital  of  this  State  is  Madison.  The  Legislature 
meets  on  the  second  Wednesday  in  January.  The  State 
election  is  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  November. 

The  enacting  clause  of  her  laws  is  as  follows:  "The 
people  of  Wisconsin  represented  in  Senate  and  Assembly, 
do  enact  as  follows." 

UNITED  STATES  SENATORS. 

Henry  Dodge,  from  1848  to  1857 

.Isaac  P.  Walker,  "     1848  "  1855 

James  R.  Doolittlo,  "     1857  "  1869 

Timothy  O.  Howe,  "     1861  "  1867 


OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  XCI. 
Territories. 

UNTIL  a  very  recent  date  there  has  always  been — west 
of  the  States— -a  vast  uninhabited  stretch  of  country,  ex- 
tending to  the  Pacific  Ocean  ;  \vhicb,  however,  was  con- 
stantly becoming  less  as  the  people  pushed  out  from  tho 
inhabited  portions  into  these  almost  boundless  and  un- 
occupied regions.  This  process  has  gone  on  ever  since 
order  was  established  at  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary 
War.  But  it  was  the  discovery  of  rich  mines  of  gold  and 
silver  in  this  Western  wilderness  that  gave  emigration 
thither  an  unprecedented  impulse.  Within  the  past 
twenty  years,  heretofore  unexplored,  uninhabited,  and 
almost  unknown  regions  have  become  peopled.  States 
have  grown  out  of  them,  and  the  whole  of  this  almost 
interminable  waste  has  been  explored  and  surveyed. 
Boundary  lines  have  been  fixed  and  Territorial  Gov- 
ernments established,  so  that  no  part  now  lies  outside 
of  an  organized  local  government.  Every  spot  of  this 
heretofore  trackless  desert  may  now  be  localized  and 
described  as  a  part  of  some  State,  or  well  defined  Terri- 
tory. 

Having  gm-n  a  brief  account  of  the  thirty-seven 
States  now  in  the  Union,  it  remains  for  us  to  give  a 


TERRITORIES.  303 

similar  account  of  the  Territories,  which  embrace  all 
outside  of  the  States,  and  together  with  them  cover  the 
whole  area  of  the  United  States. 

These  Territories  we  give  as  they  exist  at  the  close 
of  the  year  1867.  But  after  a  few  years,  several,  if  riot 
all  of  them  may  become  States.  Indeed,  bills  are  now 
before  Congress  for  the  admission  of  both  Nebraska* 
and  Colorado,  as  States.  Besides,  from  their  im- 
mense size,  as  may  be  seen  by  looking  at  their  areas,  as 
shown  below  ;  they  will  probably  be  divided  into  two 
or  three  parts;  and  these  parts  will  receive  new 
names,  and  finally  become  new  States.  There  is  land 
enough  in  the  most  of  them  to  make  three  States 
larger  than  the  average  size  of  the  States  now  in  the 
Union  ;  and  in  estimating  the  number,  there  will  be 
when  all  the  existing  Territories  shall  be  formed  into 
conveniently  sized  States  ;  we  may  safely  say  there  will 
yet  be  added,  from  twenty-five  to  thirty  new  ones,  al- 
though we  should  not  enlarge  our  boundaries,  by  the 
acquisition  of  any  new  territory. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  all  the  remaining  Terri- 
tories, placed  in  the  order  of  the  times,  when  their 
temporary  territorial  governments  were  formed  by  acts 
of  Congress. 


New  Mexico, 
Utah. 
Washington, 

Nebraska. 
Colorado, 
Dakota, 

Organized  as  a 
Territory 
Sept.  9,  1850 
Sept  9,  1850 
Mar  2,  1853 
May  30,  1854 
Feb.  23,  1861 
Mar.  2,  1861 

Square  miles. 
-.243,063 
128.835 
175.141 
122,007 
105,818 
318,123 

Acres. 
155,660.350 
82,454,400 
112,090,240 
78,084,48'! 
67,723,520 
203,601,920 

Pop.  in  '60 
93,5!  6 
40,273 
11,594 
28,841 
34,277 
4,837 

*  Since  the  above  wag  written  Nebraska  has  been  admitted  as 
a  State. 


39 -i  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

Arirnrift  Pr-h   "4    ifiM$  Was  cut  off  f mm  New  Mexico. 

Arizona,  .-ob.  M,   1803  ^  Area  aml  population  unkuown. 

Idaho,  Mar.  3.  1863.       Area  and  population  unknown. 

Montana,  May  26,  18..4.     .Area  and  population  unknown. 

In  this  brief  statement,  we  do  not  notice  any  of  tho 
laws  mado  for  their  government,  or  the  officers  ap- 
pointed to  administer  it.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  they 
have  a  Governor,  Secretary  and  judges  of  their  courts, 
who  are  appointed  by  the  President,  by  and  with  tho 
consent  of  the  Senate.  The  laws  organizing  their  Terri- 
torial Governments  are  of  course  enacted  by  Congress  ; 
and  so  are  all  tiie  general  laws  relating  to  their  admin- 
istration. But  they  are  allowed  to  elect  and  organize 
a  Territorial  legislature",  and  to  regulate  their  own  inter- 
nal affairs.  The  laws  of  Congress,  and  all  the  provi- 
.sions  made  by  it,  or  by  their  territorial  legislation,  and 
all  the  officers  appointed  to  administer  them  are  of  a 
temporary  character,  are  made  only  for  a  temporary 
government,  and  all  disappear  as  soon  as  the  Territory  is 
admitted  as  a  State. 


INDIAN    TERRITORY.  395 


CHAPTER    XCIL 
Indian  Territory. 

THIS  part  of  the  United  States  requires  a  special  no- 
tice, because  it  differs  widely  from  any  other.  While  it 
is  located  within  our  own  boundaries,  it  is  in  some  re- 
spects like  a  foreign  country,  and  its  inhabitants  like 
foreigners;  yet  it  is  not  a  foreign  country,  but  a  domestic 
dependency,  and  the  various  tribes  inhabiting  it  are 
domestic  dependent  nations,  if  we  dignify  small  tribes 
of  savages  by  such  a  sounding  title.  The  Indian  Terri- 
tory lies  west  of  the  Mississippi  River,  west  of  the  State 
of  Arkansas,  and  north  of  Texas,  and  is  of  large  dimen- 
sions, containing  no  less  than  71,127  square  miles,  or 
4:5,521,250  acres.  The  United  States  Government,  find- 
ing that  there  were  frequent  collsions,  broils  and  diffi- 
culties, and  sometimes  wars  between  the  whites  and 
Indians,  while  in  close  proximity  to  each  other,  in  some 
instances  persuaded  the  Indians,  and  in  some  cases 
compelled  them  to  leave  their  homes  and  lands,  and  re- 
move to  this  Territory,  where  they  could  live  more 
apart  from  the  whites,  and  enjoy  their  own  laws  and 
customs  without  molestation  from  white  neighbors. 
This  Territory  has  thus  become  the  residence  of  a  num- 
ber of  tribes,  each  having  its  own  section  of  country 
within  the  Territory,  or  Indian  country.  Here  the 


396  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

United  States  exercise  no  authority  over  them,  except- 
ing in  certain  crimes  perpetrated  by  them  against  the 
•whites.  Of  crimes  committed  by  Indians  against  In- 
dians, it  takes  no  cognizance.  For  this  purpose,  the 
Jndian  Territory  is  annexed  to  the  Judicial  District  of 
the  adjoining  States,  (viz.,  to  Arkansas  and  Missouri.) 
that  they  may  be  tried  and  punished  by  the  United 
States  Circuit  and  District  Courts  when  sitting  in  these 
districts.  They  are  allowed  to  live  under  their  own 
laws,  follow  their  own  customs,  and  indulge  in  their 
own  modes  of  life.  The  land  has  been  ceded  to  the  In- 
dians, each  tribe  owning  the  portion  allotted  lo  it  by 
the  United  States.  It  is  quite  probable  that  after  the 
Indians  have  reached  a  higher  grade  of  civilization, 
and  become  more  assimilated  to  the  customs  and  usages 
of  the  white  people,  that  they  will  apply  to  Congress 
for  admittance  into  the  family  of  States,  and  become  an 
integral  part  of  the  United  States.  Bat  at  present  they 
occupy  this  semi-isolated  condition,  are  under  our  pro- 
tection and  partially  under  our  criminal  laws.  The 
United  States  would  protect  them  against  foreign  inva- 
sion or  harm,  in  case  interference  ehould  be  attempted. 
The  Government  protects  them  against  our  own  people  ; 
for  it  will  not  allow  them  to  trade  with,  nor  even  to  go 
among  them  without  permission.  The  provision  made 
by  the  United  States  for  the  preservation  and  well- 
being  of  the  Indians,  by  assigning  them  a  location  in 
the  Indian  Territory,  does  not  however  include  all  the 
Indian  tribes  ;  those  now  inhabiting  this  territory  arc 
principally  from  the  tribes  east  of  the  Mississippi  River; 
many  tribes  west  of  that  river  still  remain  in  their  orig- 


INDIAN     TERRITORY.  397 

inai  homes,  or  have  moved  to  certain  localities  which 
have  been  reserved  for  them,  called  Indian  Reservations, 
where  they  are  protected  by  Indian  agents  appointed 
by  the  Government  for  this  purpose,  and  also  to  look 
after  other  Indian  affairs. 

The  population  of  the  Territory  at  the  last  census 
was  9,761  ;  while  the  whole  number  of  Indians  in  the 
United  States  amounts  to  about  300,000. 


398  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


CHAPTER  XCIII. 
The  Wars  of  the  United  States. 

1.  So  many  acts  of  the  Government,  and  so  many  laws 
of  Congi-ess  have  had  especial  reference  to  the  wars  in 
which  the  country  has  been  involved,  that  it  will  throw 
much  light  upon  them  to  give  a  very  brief  historical  sketch 
of  the  different  wars  in  which  the  United  States  have  been 
engaged. 

2.  The  first  in  order  of  time,  and  in  the  results  which 
followed,  is  the  Revolutionary  war,  as  it  is  called  in  our 
own  country.     This   war  was  begun  and  consummated, 
however,   before   our   Government   existed ;    for  it   was 
fought  for  tlio  express  purpose   of  gaining  the  power  to 
establish  a  Government  for  ourselves.     This,  the  people 
could  not  do  while  they  were  tinder  the  power  of  the 
English  Government,   which   oppressed   tLem   with   bad 
laws,  and  with  a  corrupt  and  oppressive  administration. 
Petitions  for  relief,  and  strong  remonstrances  against  such 
oppi'ession  proved  utterly  abortive.     The  people  resorted 
to  arms  with  a  firm  determination  to  redress  their  wrongs 
by  force,  as  all  other  means  had  failed. 

i  3.  This  statement  gives  the  reasons  for  this  war.  It 
commenced  on  the  19th  of  April,  1775 — or  rather,  on  that 
day  the  first  blood  was  spilt.  Some  preparations  had 
been  previously  made,  since  it  had  boen  seen  for  some  time 


WARS  OF   THE   UNITED   STATES.  399 

that  the  stubborn  acts  of  the  English  Government,  and  the 
determination  of  the  people  to  redress  their  grievances, 
would  pretty  certainly  lead  to  a  contest. 

4.  This  war  lasted  seven  years,  and  was  attended  with 
varied  success.  The  Colonies  were  poor,  the  population 
small,  and  to  many  it  appeared  preposterous  to  contend 
with  the  power  of  the  mother  country,  which  was  rich  in 
money  and  means  to  subdue  the  Rebellion,  as  she  termed 
this  uprising  of  the  people  to  vindicate  their  rights. 
There  were  other  causes  which  protracted  the  struggle, 
and  which  caused  more  blood  to  be  shed  than  the  battles 
with  the  British  armies  would  have  cost,  had  all  the  peo- 
ple in  the  Colonies  been  united,  which  was  not  the  case. 
Numbers  of  them  opposed  the  war,  adhered  to  the  old 
Government,  even  took  up  arms  on  the  side  of  England, 
and  did  all  in  their  power  to  assist  her  in  her  efforts  to  put 
the  Colonies  down.  These  men  rendered  material  aid  to 
the  British  during  the  whole  period  of  the  contest.  They 
were  then,  and  have  ever  since  been  called  Tories ;  which 
meant,  enemies  to  their  own  courrtry. .  They  made  them- 
selves extremely  odious  to  the  people,  and  the  name  has 
been  a  term  of  reproach  ever  since. 

5.  But  this  was  not  all.  Besides  the  power  of  England, 
against  which  the  people  had  to  contend,  the  English,  by 
means  of  presents,  induced  the  Indians,  who  were  numer- 
ous at  that  time,  to  join  them.  This  stratagem  not  only 
afforded  much  assistance  to  the  English  Government,  but 
added  the  horrors  of  savage  barbarity  to  the  war.  The 
Indians  not  only  went  into  battle  with  the  English,  but 
laid  in  ambush,  watching  and  shooting  the  people  wher- 
ever they  could  find  them. 


400  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

But  all  the  power  of  Great  Britain,  aided  by  her  parti- 
sans here,  and  by  her  savage  allies,  availed  not.  The 
bloody  struggle  went  on  till  victory  crowned  the  efforts  of 
the  Colonies.  Under  the  leadership  of  Washington,  the 
Revolution  was  completed,  a  new  nationality  was  created, 
and  a  new  Government  took  its  place  in  the  family  of  na- 
tions. 

THE    SECOND   WAR. 

6.  Not  more  than  ten  years  had  elapsed  since  the  close 
of  the  Revolutionary  war  with  England,  before  a  serious 
difficulty  occurred  between  the  United  States  and  France, 
who  had  been  our  friend  and  ally  during  the  struggle  for 
independence.     We  say  it  was  a  serious  difficulty,  for  it 
came  very  near  involving  the  two  countries  in  a  destruc- 
tive contest.     But  by  the  discreet  and  wise  management 
of  our  Government  nothing  more  than  some  hostile  en- 
counters at  sea  occurred,  after  which  the  two  nations  came 
to  a  good  understanding,  and  no  further  hostile  acts  were 
prepetrated  on  either  side.     Before  this,  the  French  Gov- 
ernment authorised  the  capture  of  American  vessels.    This 
was  done  in  several  instances ;  therefore  Congress  author- 
ised American  vessels  to  retaliate  upon  the  French ,  and 
all  treaties  with  France  were  declared  void. 

7.  But  why  this  hostility  between  those  who  recently 
were  such  firm  friends  ?     This  may  be  explained ;  France 
was  at  war  with  England,  and  she  wished  to  involve  the 
United  States  in  her  controversy.      She  wanted  us  to  as- 
sist her,  because  she  had  assisted  us ;  quite  a  plausible 
reason;  but  President  Washington,  and  many  others  of 
the  wisest  and  best  men  in  the  country  disapproved  of 
commencing  another  war  with  England,  or  of,  aiding  her 


WARS   OP   THE   UNITED   STATES.  401 

.enemies  so  soon  after  we  had  concluded  a  peace  with  her. 
Besides,  we  were  weak  then;  our  resources  almost  ex- 
hausted, and  we  were  deeply  in  debt.  Washington's  pol- 
icy prevailed,  and  the  nation  escaped  another  war  with 
our  old  enemy.  France  disliked  this,  and  for  a  few  years 
was  quite  hostile  to  us ;  but  wiser  counsels  finally  pre- 
vailed, and  friendly  relations  were  again  established  be- 
tween the  two  nations. 


THE    THIRD    WAR. 

8.  The  third  war,  although  hardly  entitled  to  so  sound' 
ing  a  name — for  it  was  rather  a  fight  with  pirates — com' 
menced  in  1801,  with  Tripoli,  one  of  the  piratical  Barbary 
powers  of  the  North  of  Africa.  She,  with  Morocco  and 
Algiers,  undertook  a  system  of  robbery  upon  all  vessels 
trading  up  the  Mediterranean  sea,  by  demanding  tribute 
for  the  privilege  of  navigating  that  sea.  It  was  an  as- 
sumption  of  power  that  could  not  be  better  explained  than 
to  call  it  piratical.  They  undertook  to  enforce  these 
most  unrighteous  demands  by  capturing  the  ships,  and 
imprisoning  their  crews,  if  they  refused  to  comply.  They 
tried  the  game  on  our  vessels,  captured  several,  and  im- 
prisoned their  seamen.  This  was  rather  more  than  our 
Government  was  disposed  to  endure ;  so  it  dispatched  a 
squadron  of  ships  under  Commodore  Preble,  who  had  a 
fight  with  some  of  their  vessels,  knocked  them  to  pieces, 
bombarded  their  town,  and  made  them  deliver  up  all  the 
American  prisoners.  These  energetic  proceedings  soon 
humbled  the  barbarians,  and  compelled  them  to  relinquish 
their  nefarious  practice  of  demanding  tribute  from  Amer- 


402  OUTLINES  OP  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

lean;  or  any  other  vessels  that  traded  up  the  Mediterrane- 
an sea. 

THE   FOURTH    WAK. 

9.  This  broke  out  in  1812,  and  in  our  histories  and  con- 
versations is  generally  called  the  War  of  1812,  because  it 
was  commenced  in  that  year.     This  was  our  second  war 
with  England,  and  lasted  nearly  three  years.      The  rea- 
BOHS  for  it  were  very  different  from  those  which  brought 
on  the  first;    and   may  be  given   as  follows.      England 
claimed  the  right  to  board  our  ships,  either  national  or 
private,  wherever  she  found  them,  and  to  search  them,  un- 
der pretense  of  searching  for  her  seamen,  who  had  de- 
serted from  their  vessels,  and  were  now   employed  ou 
board  of  ours ;  and  also  for  men  who  had  once  been  sub- 
jects of. the  British  Government,  but  had  subsequently 
emigrated  to  America,  and  became  citizens  of  the  United 
States.     This  right  she  claimed  and  actually  enforced  on 
manv  occasions,  by  carrying  off  every  man  of  this  de- 
scription she  found  on  board  our  ships,  upon  the  assump- 
tion that  if  a  man  had  ever  been  a  subject  of  hers,  he  must 
always  remain  so  ;  and  that  he  had  no  right  to  become  a 
citizen  of  any  other  country.     We  did  not  subscribe  to 
such  a  doctrine,  but  held  that  if  any  body  wished  to  ex- 
patriate himself  from  his  own  country  and  to  become  a 
citizen  of  ours,  he  had  a  perfect  right  to  do  so,  and  that 
when  he  did,  it  was  as  much  the  duty  of  our  Government 
to  protect  him,  as  it  was  to  protect  a  native  citizen. 

10.  Such  antagonistic  principles,  if  carried  into  action 
as  they  were  by  the  English,  must  necessarily  end  in  an 
appeal  to  arms.     On  the  19th  of  June,  in  conformity  with 


WARS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  403 

an  act  of  Congress,  the  President  proclaimed  war  with 
England.  The  contest,  with  varied  success  on  both  sides, 
was  continued  until  the  8th  of  Jan.,  1815,  the  day  on 
which  Gen.  Jackson  defeated  the  British  at  New  Orleans. 
Soon  after,  news  reached  the  United  States  that  the  Amer- 
ican and  English  Commissioners,  who  had  met  at  Ghent, 
had,  on  the  24th  of  Dec.,  1814,  concluded  a  treaty  of 
peace.  As  soon  as  this  was  known,  hostilities  ceased  on 
land.  Several  battles  occurred  at  sea  after  this,  for  the 
news  of  peace  did  not  reach  them  until  some  time  after  it 
was  known  at  home.  By  the  treaty  of  Ghent,  simply  a 
peace  was  negotiated ;  seemingly  because  both  parties  had 
become  tired  of  the  war.  The  issue  upon  which  the  war 
broke  out  was  left  unsettled  by  the  Commissioners,  who 
ignored  that  question,  but  agreed  to  stop  fighting.  Eng- 
land has  not  since  enforced  her  doctrine  of  the  right  to 
search  our  vessels,  and  to  carry  off  our  men,  although  they 
may  have  once  been  her  subjects.  This  war  was  prose- 
cuted principally  on  the  seas,  where  a  number  of  severe 
naval  battles  were  fought,  and  many  captures  of  ships 
made  on  both  sides.  Although  England  had  a  far  more 
powerful  navy  than  we  had,  yet  in  victories  and  captures, 
the  odds  were  on  our  side. 

THE   FIFTH   WAR. 

11.  The  fifth  war  was  that  with  Mexico.  It  commenced 
on  the  26th  of  April,  1846,  and  grew  out  of  the  annexa- 
tion of  Texas — early  in  1845 — to  the  United  States.  Mex- 
ico had  not  yet  entirely  abandoned  her  claim  to,  and 
authority  over  Texas,  which  had  so  recently  revolted 
against  her  Government.  She  could  not  but  look  with 
great  disapprobation  and  jealousy  upon  the  action  of  the 


404  OUTLINES   OF   U.   S.    GOVERNMENT. 

United  States  in  taking  her  revolted  province  under  their 
protection,  and  then  annexing  it  to  their  own  dominions. 
The  people  of  Texas  were  afraid  that  Mexico  would  make 
an  attempt  to  regain  possession  of  the  country,  and  called 
upon  the  United  States  Government  to  protect  them. 

12.  James  K.  Polk,  a  Southern  man,  was  then  Presi- 
dent, and  had  taken,  before  his  election,  a  very  prominent 
part  in  the  annexation  scheme.  He  was  therefore  quite 
ready  and  willing  to  defend  this,  our  newly  acquired  ter- 
ritory, and  promptly  sent  Gen.  Taylor  to  the  Western 
part  of  Texas,  under  the  pretense  of  guarding  the  frontiers 
against  any  invasion  of  the  Mexicans.  Gen.  Taylor,  in 
obedience  to  orders  from  the  President,  marched  his  army 
quite  up  to  the  Rio  Grande,  which  Mr.  Polk  claimed  as 
the  Western  boundary  of  Texas.  But  this,  the  Mexicans, 
(with  good  reason  too),  disputed ;  declaring  that  the 
Western  boundary  of  Texas  was  far  to  the  East  of  that 
river,  and  remonstrated  strongly  against  the  action  to  the 
United  States,  in  sending  a  hostile  army  into  her  territory, 
and  hence  took  measures  to  expel  the  invaders.  As  be- 
fore stated,  on  the  26th  of  April,  1846,  a  small  number  of 
the  hostile  parties  met,  and  a  fight  between  them  ensued. 
Thus  the  war  begun,  and  continued  with  almost  unvaried 
success  on  the  part  of  the  United  States  Army  till  the  2nd 
of  Feb.,  1848,  when  a  treaty  of  peace  was  concluded. 
During  this  short  war  of  less  than  two  years,  we  took  all 
their  strongholds  of  defence,  including  the  city  of  Vera 
Cruz,  together  with  their  Capital,  the  City  of  Mexico  it- 
self. Indeed,  the  whole  country  was  occupied,  and  might 
have  been  kept,  had  we  chosen  to  retain  it.  But  in  the 
treaty  of  peace  we  restored  a  part  of  their  country,  and 


WARS   OF   THE    UNITED    STATES.  405 

retained  all  we  desired  of  it,  viz.,  California  and  New 
Mexico,  and  in  short,  all  the  Northern  part  of  the  country. 
But  to  make  the  whole  affair  look  less  like  robbery,  we 
paid  the  Mexicans  $10,000,000  for  what  we  kept,  which 
was  nearly  one-half  of  the  whole  country. 

14.  By  this  war  we  very  much  enlarged  our  territory, 
but  gained  very  little  rnilit  iry  glory,  and  added  noth 
ing  to  our  character  for  justice  and  magnanimity.  Wo 
a  powerful  nation,  fell  upon  a  weak  one,  crushed  it,  anq 
took  as  much,  of  its  territory  as  we  pleased ;  and  that,-  - 
to  say  the  least  of  it, —  for  a  very  trifling  cause.  A 
little  wisdom,  a  little  discreet  diplomacy,  would  h;  ve 
averted  this  war,  saved  thousands  of  lives,  millions  of 
money,  and  preserved  our  character  for  justice  i  nd 
magnanimity. 

THE  SIXTH  WAR. 

13.  This  was  by  far  the  greatest,  the  most  expenuwe, 
aud  most  bloody  war  that  was  ever  carried  on  upon 
this  continent.  In  magnitude,  in  expense,  in  the  lives 
it  cost,  and  in  the  evil  consequences  which  resulted  from 
it,  it  surpassed  all  the  preceding  wars  combined, 
and  verified  the  old  adage  that "  Civil  wars  are  the  worst 
of  all  wars."  This,  as  everybody  knows,  was  a  civil 
war ;  a  war  between  the  people  of  the  same  country 
and  government,  having  the  same  interests  and  the 
same  destiny. 

10.  Right  here  we  might  expand  our  remarks  to  an 
extent  exceeding  the  whole  contents  of  this  volume  in 
tracing  the  causes,  detailing  the  operations,  and  notic- 
ing the  results  of  this  most  terrible  and  cruel  war. 
Then  we  might  dwell  long  upon  the  consequences 


406     OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

which  must  inevitably  follow  in  all  coming  time.  But 
this  would  be  foreign  to  our  purpose.  We  have  only 
undertaken  to  give  the  veriest  outlines  of  our  various 
wars,  the  time  when  they  commenced,  the  time  of  their 
duration,  and  the  results  produced.  Just  so  much  we 
will  say  of  our  civil  war, — between  the  North  and  the 
South.  It  was  begun  on  the  12th  of  April,  1861,  by 
the  bombardment  of  Fort  Sumter  in  Charleston  Har- 
bor. It  was  closed  in  April,  1865,  by  the  surrender  of 
Gen.  Lee,  the  Southern  Commander-in-Chief',  with  his 
army,  to  Gen.  Grant,  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
National  Forces,  having  lasted  four  years  with  varied 
success  on  both  sides.  All  the  details  of  this  desperate 
struggle  have  been  written  and  published  by  many  able 
historians,  to  whose  works  I  must  refer  the  reader  who 
wishes  to  peruse  a  complete  history  of  this  great  event. 

17.  Here  we  will  only  add,  that  it  is  impossible  to 
say  how  many  lives  were  lost  in  this  devastating  war. 
500,000  on  both  sides  is  probably  as  correct  an  estimate 
as  can  be  made.    Eight  or  nine  billions  of  dollars  is  prob- 
ably as  near  an  estimate  of  its  cost  as  can  be  calculated. 
Other  disasters  and  evils  almost  inconceivable  followed 
in  its  train.     It  furnished  the  world  w'th  one  of  the 
most  awful  examples  of  the  folly  and  the  wickedness  of 
war. 

OUR  INDIAN  WARS. 

18.  In  addition  to,  and  in  connection  with,  the  sev- 
eral wars   mentioned  in  the  preceding  remarks,    our 
numerous  wars  with  the  various  Indian  tribes  should  !>e 
briefly  noticed.     In  both  of  our  wars  with  England,  the 
Indians  were  wheedled  and  enticed  by  presents,  to  take 


WARS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  407 

sides  with  England,  and  against  us.  This,  together  with 
their  barbarous  mode  of  warfare,  and  their  savage 
cruelties,  produced  a  strong  antipathy  in  the  minds  of 
our  people  against  them.  This  feeling  was  reciprocated 
by  the  Indians,  and  whenever  any  wrong  was  perpetra- 
ted by  either  party,  it  was  an  easy  matter  to  make  it  a 
2ause  of  war.  The  old  animosities  were  there,  and  any 
offensive  act  from  either  side  was  almost  certain  to  pro- 
duce retaliatory  acts  from  the  other  party.  When  the 
whites  cheated  the  Indians,  they  in  retaliation  would 
steal  from  the  whites.  A  pursuit  and  a  massacre  would 
follow,  and  then  the  Government  would  be  compelled 
to  interfere. 

19.  From  these  and  other  causes,  we  have  had  many 
wars  with  nearly  all  the  tribes  of  Indians  in  the  country. 
Some  of  these  contests  have  been  obstinate  and  bloody, 
costing  many  valuable  lives,  and  a  great  deal  of  money. 
Any  of  the  tribes, — or  all  of  them  combined, — could 
make  but  a  feeble  resistance  to  the  power  of  the  United 
States.      Hence  all  our  Indian  wars  have  resulted  in 
their  final  defeat,  and  sometimes  in  their  almost  utter 
destruction;  at  the   present   time  (1867)  a  fierce  and 
bloody  war  is  raging  between  the  Government  and  the 
western  Indians,  who  inhabit  the  country  between  the 
Mississippi  Eiver  and  the  Kocky  Mountains.     Various 
tribes  are  combined  to  prevent  the  settlement  of  the 
whites  on  their  lands,  and  to  prevent  the   construction 
of  the  Pacific  Railroad  through  their  hunting  grounds. 

20.  The  Indians  who  remain  do  not  exceed  300,000. 
They  have  been  reduced  to  this  small  number  by  their 
frequent  wars  with  the  whites,  but  more  especially  by 


408  OUTLINES   OF  U.    S.    GOVERNMENT. 

their  almost  prepetual  wars  among  themselves.  Some  of 
them  have  become  partially  civilized,  and  have  turned 
their  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits,  instead  of  wander- 
ing about  on  hunting  excursions  and  warlike  expeditions 
against  each  other.  It  is  therefore  to  be  hoped  that  our 
Indian  wars  will  soon  cease  forever. 


DECLARATION  OF  INDEPENDENCE.      409 


THE  DECLAKATION  OF  INDEPENDENCE. 


N,  in  the  course  of  human  events,  it  becomes  ne- 
cessary for  one  people  to  dissolve  the  political  bands 
which  have  connected  them  with  another,  and  to  assume, 
among  the  powers  of  the  earth,  the  separate  and  equal  sta- 
tion to  which  the  laws  of  nature  and  of  nature's  God  en- 
title them,  a  decent  respect  to  the  opinions  of  mankind  re- 
quires that  they  should  declare  the  causes  which  impel 
them  to  the  separation. 

We  hold  these  truths  to  be  self-evident,  that  all  men  are 
created  equal;  that  they  are  endowed  by  their  Creator 
with  certain  unalienable  rights  ;  that  among  these,  are  life, 
liberty,  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness.  That,  to  secure 
these  rights,  governments  are  instituted  among  men,  de- 
riving their  just  powers  from  the  consent  of  the  governed  ; 
that,  whenever  any  form  of  government  becomes  de- 
structive of  these  ends,  it  is  the  right  of  the  people  to  alter 
or  to  abolish  it,  and  to  institute  a  new  government,  laying 
its  foundation  on  such  principles,  and  organizing  its  pow- 
ers in  such  form,  as  to  them  shall  seem  most  likely  to  ef- 
fect their  safety  and  happiness.  Prudence,  indeed,  will 
dictate  that  governments  long  established,  should  not  be 
changed  for  light  and  transient  causes;  and,  accordingly, 
all  experience  hath  shown,  that  mankind  are  more  dis- 
posed to  suffer,  while  evils  are  sufferable,  than  to  r'ght 
themselves  by  abolishing  the  forms  to  which  they  are  ac- 
customed. But,  when  a  long  train  of  abuses  and  usurpa- 
tions, pursuing  invariably  the  same  object,  evinces  a  de- 
sign to  reduce  them  under  absolute  despotism,  it  is  their 
right,  it  is  their  duty,  to  throw  off  such  government,  and 
to  provide  new  guards  for  their  future  security.  Such 


410  OUTLINES  OF  U.  s.  GOVERNMENT. 

has  been  the  patient  sufferance  of  these  colonies,  and  such 
is  now  the  necessity  which  constrains  them  to  alter  their 
former  systems  of  government.  The  history  of  the  pre- 
sent king  of  Great  Britain  is  a  history  of  repeated  injuries 
and  usurpations,  all  having,  in  direct  object,  the  establish- 
ment of  an  absolute  tyranny  over  these  States.  To  prove 
this,  let  facts  be  submitted  to  a  candid  world  : 

lie  has  refused  his  assent  to  laws  the  most  wholesomo 
and  necessary  for  the  public  good. 

He  has  forbidden  his  Governors  to  pass  laws  of  imme- 
diate and  pressing  importance,  unless  suspended  in  their 
operation  till  his  assent  should  be  obtained ;  and,  when  so 
suspended,  he  has  utterly  neglected  to  attend  to  them. 

He  has  refused  to  pass  other  laws  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  lai-ge  districts  of  people,  unless  those  people  would 
relinquish  the  right  of  representation  in  the  legislature ;  a 
right  inestimable  to  them*  and  formidable  to  tyrants  only. 

He  has  called  together  legislative  bodies  at  places  un- 
usual, uncomfortable,  and  distant  from  the  depository  of 
their  public  records,  for  the  sole  purpose  of  fatiguing  them 
into  compliance  with  his  measures. 

He  has  dissolved  representative  houses  repeatedly,  for 
opposing,  with  manly  firmness,  his  invasions  on  the  rights 
of  the  people. 

He  has  refused,  for  a  long  time  after  such  dissolution, 
to  cause  others  to  be  elected ;  whereby  the  legislative 
powers,  incapable  of  annihilation,  have  returned  to  tho 
people  at  large  for  their  exercise  ;  the  State  remaining,  in 
the  mean  time,  exposed  to  all  the  danger  of  invasion  from 
without,  and  convulsions  within. 

He  has  endeavored  to  prevent  the  population  of  these 
States  ;  for  that  purpose,  obstructing  the  laws  for  natural- 
ization of  foreigners ;  refusing  to  pass  others  to  encourage 
their  migration  hither,  and  raising  the  conditions  of  new 
appropriations  of  lands. 

He  has  obstructed  the  administration  of  justice,  by  re- 
fusing his  assent  to  laws  for  establishing  judiciary  powers. 

He  has  made  judges  dependent  on  his  will  alone,  for 


DECLARATION    OF   INDEPENDENCE.  411 

the  tenure  of  their  offices,  and  the  amount  and  payment 
of  their  salaries. 

He  has  erected  a  multitude  of  new  offices,  and  sent 
hither  swarms  of  officers  to  harass  our  people,  and  eat  out 
their  substance. 

He  has  kept  among  us,  in  times  of  peace,  standing 
armies,  without  the  consent  of  our  legislature 

He  has  affected  to  render  the  military  independent  of, 
and  superior  to,  the  civil  power. 

He  has  combined,  with  others,  to  subject  us  to  a  juris- 
diction foreign  to  our  constitution,  and  unacknowledged 
by  our  laws;  giving  his  assent  to  their  acts  of  pretended 
legislation : 

For  quartering  large  bodies  of  armed  troops  among  us  : 

For  protecting  them,  by  a  mock  trial,  from  punishment, 
for  any  murders  which  they  should  commit  on  the  inhab- 
itants of  these  States  . 

For  cutting  oft*  our  trade  with  all  parts  of  the  world : 

For  imposing  taxes  on  us  without  our  consent : 

For  depriving  us,  in  many  cases,  of  the  benefits  of  trial 
by  jury. 

For  transporting  us  beyond  seas  to  be  tried  for  pre- 
tended oifences : 

For  abolishing  the  free  system  of  English  laws  in  a 
neighboring  province,  establishing  therein  an  arbitrary 
government,  and  enlarging  its  boundaries,  so  as  to  render 
it  at  once  an  example  and  fit  instrument  for  introducing 
the  same  absolute  rule  into  these  colonies : 

For  taking  away  our  charters,  abolishing  our  most  val- 
uable laws,  and  altering,  fundamentally,  the  powers  of  our 
governments : 

For  suspending  our  own  legislatures,  and  declaring 
themselves  invested  with  power  to  legislate  for  us  in  all 
cases  whatsoever. 

He  has  abdicated  government  here,  by  declaring  us  out 
of  his  protection,  and  waging  war  against  us. 

He  has  plundered  our  seas,  ravaged  our  coasts,  burnt 
our  towns,  and  destroyed  the  lives  of  our  people. 

He  is,  at  this  time,  transporting  large  armies  of  foreign 
mercenaries  to  complete  the  work  of  death,  desolation. 


412  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

and  tyranny,  already  begun,  with  circumstances  of  cruelty 
and  perfidy  scarcely  paralleled  in  the  most  barbarous 
ages,  and  totally  unworthy  the  head  of  a  civilized  nation. 

He  has  constrained  our  fellow-citizens,  taken  captive  on 
the  high  seas,  to  bear  arms  against  their  country,  to  be- 
come the  executioners  of  their  friends  and  brethren,  or  to 
fall  themselves  by  their  hands. 

He  has  excited  domestic  insurrections  amongst  us,  and 
has  endeavored  to  bring  on  the  inhabitants  of  our  fron- 
tiers, the  merciless  Indian  savages,  whose  known  rule  of 
"warfare  is  an  undistinguished  destruction  of  all  ages, 
sexes,  and  conditions. 

In  every  stage  of  these  oppressions,  we  have  petitioned 
for  redress,  in  the  most  humble  terms ;  our  repeated  pe- 
titions have  been  answered  only  by  repeated  injury.  A 
prince,  whose  character  is  thus  marked  by  every  act 
which  may  define  a  tyrant,  is  unfit  to  be  the  ruler  of  a  free 
people. 

Nor  have  we  been  wanting  in  attention  to  our  British 
brethren.  We  have  warned  them  from  time  to  time,  of 
attempts  made  by  their  legislature  to  extend  an  unwar- 
rantable jurisdiction  over  us.  We  have  reminded  them 
of  the  circumstances  of  our  emigration  and  settlement 
here.  We  have  appealed  to  their  native  justice  and  mag- 
nanimity, and  we  have  conjured  them,  by  the  ties  of  our 
common  kindred,  to  disavow  these  usurpations,  which 
would  inevitably  interrupt  our  connections  and  correspon- 
dence. They,  too,  have  been  deaf  to  the  voice  of  justice 
and  consanguinity.  We  must,  therefore,  acquiesce  in  the 
necessity,  which  denounces  our  separation,  and  hold  them, 
as  we  hold  the  rest  of  mankind,  enemies  in  war,  in  peace, 
friends. 

We,  therefore,  the  representatives  of  the  UNITED 
STATES  OF  AMERICA,  in  GENERAL  CONGRESS 
assembled,  appealing  to  the  Supreme  Judge  of  the  World 
for  the  rectitude  of  our  intentions,  do,  in  the  name,  and 
by  the  authority  of  the  good  people  of  these  colonies, 
solemnly  publish  and  declare,  That  these  United  Colonies 
are,  and  of  ri£?ht  ought  to  be,  FREE  AND  INDEPEN- 
DENT STATES ;  that  they  are  absolved  from  all  alle- 


DECLARATION  OF  INDEPENDENCE. 


413 


glance  to  the  British  crown,  and  that  all  political  connex- 
ion between  them  and  the  state  of  Great  Britain,  is,  and 
ought  to  be,  totally  dissolved ;  and  that,  as  FREE  AND 
INDEPENDENT  STATES,  they  have  full  power  to  levy 
war,  conclude  peace,  contract  alliances,  establish  com- 
merce, and  to  do  all  other  acts  and  things  which  INDE- 
PENDENT STATES  may  of  right  do.  And,  for  the  sup- 
port of  this  declaration,  and  a  firm  reliance  on  the  protec- 
tion of  DIVINE  PROVIDENCE,  we  mutually  pledge 
to  each  other,  our  lives,  our  fortunes,  and  our  sacred  honor. 
The  foregoing  declaration  was,  by  order  of  Congress, 
engrossed,  and  signed  by  the  following  members  : 

JOHN  HANCOCK. 
Massachusetts  J3ay. 
Samuel  Adams, 
John  Adams, 
Robert  Treat  Paine, 
Elbridge  Gerry. 

Delaware. 
Caesar  Rodney, 
George  Reed, 
Thomas  M'Kean. 

Maryland. 
Samuel  Chase, 
William  Paca, 
Thomas  Stone, 
Charles  Carroll,  of  Carrollton 

Virginia. 
George  Wythe, 
Richard  Henry  Lee, 
Thomas  Jefierson, 
Benjamin  Harrison, 
Thomas  Nelson,  jun. 
Francis  Lightfoot  Lee, 
Carter  Braxton. 

North  Carolina. 
William  Hooper, 
Joseph  Hewes, 
John  Penn. 


New  Hampshire. 
Josiah  Bartlett, 
William  Whipple, 
Matthew  Thornton. 

Rhode  Island. 
Stephen  Hopkins, 
William  Ellery. 

Connecticut. 
Roger  Sherman, 
Samuel  Huntington, 
WTilliam  Williams, 
Oliver  Wolcott. 

New  York. 
William  Floyd, 
Philip  Livingston, 
Francis  Lewis, 
Lewis  Morris. 

New  Jersey. 
Richard  Stockton, 
John  Witherspoon, 
Francis  Hopkinson, 
John  Hart, 
Abraham  Clark. 

Pennsylvania. 
Robert  Morris, 
Benjamin  Rush, 


414 


OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


Benjamin  Franklin, 
John  Morton, 
George  Clymer, 
James  Smith, 
George  Taylor, 
James  Wilson, 
George  Ross*. 


South  Carolina. 
Edward  Kutledge, 
Thomas  Hcyward,  jun. 
Thomas  Lynch,  jun. 
Arthur  Middleton. 
Georgia. 

Button  Gwinnett, 
Lyman  Hall, 
George  "Walton 


TUE  coxsmuiioN.  415 


CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES 
OF  AMERICA. 

WE,  the  People  of  the  United  States,  in  order  to  form  a 
more  perfect  Union,  establish  Justice,  insure  domestic 
Tranquillity,  provide  for  the  common  defence,  promote 
the  general  Welfare,  and  secure  the  Blessings  of  Lib- 
erty to  ourselves  and  our  Posterity,  do  ordain  and  es- 
tablish this  CONSTITUTION  for  the  United  States  of 
America. 

ARTICLE  I. 

SECTION  1.  All  legislative  Powers  herein  granted  shall 
be  vested  in  a  Congress  of  the  United  States,  which  shall 
consist  of  a  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives. 

SECTION  2.  The  House  of  Representatives  shall  be 
composed  of  Members  chosen  every  second  Year  by  the 
People  of  the  several  States,  and  the  Electors  in  each  State 
shall  have  the  Qualifications  requisite  for  Electors  of  the 
most  numerous  Branch  of  the  State  Legislature. 

No  Person  shall  be  a  Representative  who  shall  not 
have  attained  to  the  Age  of  twenty-five  Years,  arid  been 
seven  Years  a  Citizen  of  the  United  States,  and  who  shall 
not,  when  elected,  be  an  Inhabitant  of  that  State  in  which 
he  shall  be  chosen. 

Representatives  and  direct  Taxes  shall  be  apportioned 
among  the  several  States  which  may  be  included  within 
this  Union,  according  to  their  respective  Numbers,  which 
shall  be  determined  by  adding  to  the  whole  Number  of 


410  OUTLINES  OP  U.  S.    GOVERNMENT. 

free  Persons,  including  those  bound  to  Service  for  a  Term 
of  Years,  and  excluding  Indians  not  taxed  three-fifths  of 
all  other  Persons.  The  actual  Enumeration  shall  be  made 
within  three  Years  after  the  first  Meeting  of  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States,  and  within  every  subsequent  Term 
often  Years,  in  such  Manner  as  they  shall  by  Law  direct. 
The  Number  of  Representatives  shall  not  exceed  one  for 
every,  thirty  Thousand,  but  each  State  shall  have  at  Least 
one  Representative  ;  and  until  such  enumeration  shall  bu 
made,  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  shall  be  entitled  to 
choose  three,  Massachusetts  eight,  Rhode  Island  and 
Providence  Plantations  one,  Connecticut  five,  New  York 
six,  New  Jersey  four,  Pennsylvania  eight,  Delaware  one, 
Maryland  six,  Virginia  ten,  North  Carolina  five,  and 
Georgia  three. 

When  vacancies  happen  in  the  Representation  from  any 
State,  the  Executive  Authority  thereof  shall  issue  Writs 
of  Election  to  fill  such  Vacancies. 

The  House  of  Representatives  shall  choose  their  Speaker 
and  other  Officers;  and  shall  have  the  sole  Power  of  Im- 
peachment. 

SECTION  3.  The  Senate  of  the  United  States  shall  be 
composed  of  two  Senators  from  each  State,  chosen  by  the 
Legislature  thereof,  for  six  Years ;  and  each  Senator  shall 
have  one  Vote. 

Immediately  after  they  shall  be  assembled  in  Conse- 
quence of  the  first  Election,  they  shall  be  divided  as 
equally  as  may  be  into  three  Classes.  The  Seats  of  the 
Senators  of  the  first  Class  shall  be  vacated  at  the  Expira- 
tion of  the  second  Year,  of  the  second  Class  at  the  Expira- 
tion of  the  fourth  Year,  and  of  the  third  Class  at  the  Ex- 
piration of  the  sixth  Year,  so  that  one-third  may  be  chosen 
every  second  Year ;  and  if  Vacancies  happen  by  Resigna- 
tion, or  otherwise,  during  the  Recess  of  the  Legislature 
of  any  State,  the  Executive  thereof  may  make  tempo- 
rary Appoinments  until  the  next  Meeting  of  the  Legisla- 
ture, which  shall  then  fill  such  Vacancies. 

No  Person  shall  be  a  Senator  who  shall  not  have  at- 
tained to  the  Age  of  thirty  Years,  and  been  nine  Years  a 
Citizen  of  the  United  States,  and  who  shall  not,  when 


THE   CONSTITUTION.  417 

elected,  be  an  Inhabitant  of  that  State  for  which  he  shall 
be  chosen. 

The  Vice-President  of  the  United  States  shall  be  Pre- 
sident of  the  Senate,  but  shall  have  no  Vote,  unless  they 
be  equally  divided. 

The  Senate  shall  choose  their  other  Officers,  and  also 
a  President  pro  tempore,  in  the  Absence  of  the  Vice-Pre- 
sident, or  when  he  shall  exercise  the  Office  of  President  of 
the  United  States. 

The  Senate  shall  have  the  sole  Power  to  try  all  Impeach- 
ments. When  sitting  for  that  Purpose,  they  shall  be  on 
Oath  or  Affirmation.  When  the  President  of  the  United 
States  is  tried,  the  Chief  Justice  shall  preside  :  And  no 
Person  shall  be  convicted  without  the  Concurrence  of 
two-thirds  of  the  Members  present. 

Judgment  in  Cases  of  Impeachment  shall  not  extend 
further  than  to  removal  from  Office,  and  Disqualification 
to  hold  and  enjoy  any  Office  of  honour,  Trust  or  Profit 
under  the  United  States  :  but  the  Party  convicted  shall 
nevertheless  be  liable  and  subject  to  Indictment,  Trial, 
Judgment,  and  Punishment,  according  to  Law. 

SECTION'  4.  The  Times,  Places  and  Manner  of  holding 
Elections  for  Senators  and  Kepresentatives,  shall  be  pre- 
scribed in  each  State  by  the  Legislature  thereof;  but  the 
Congress  may  at  any  time  by  Law  make  or  alter  such 
Regulations,  except  as  to  the  places  of  choosing  Senators. 

The  Congress  shall  assemble  at  least  once  in  every 
Year,  and  such  Meeting  shall  be  on  the  first  Monday  in 
December,  unless  they  shall  by  Law  appoint  a  different 
Day. 

SECTION  5.  Each  House  shall  be  the  Judge  of  the  Elec- 
tion, Returns  and  Qualifications  of  its  own  Members  and 
a  Majority  of  each  shall  constitute  a  Quorum  to  do  Busi- 
ness; but  a  smaller  Number  may  adjourn  from  day  to 
day,  and  may  be  authorized  to  compel  the  Attendance  of 
absent  Members,  in  such  Manner,  and  under  such  Penal- 
ties as  each  House  may  provide. 

Each  House  may    determine  the  Rules  of  its  Proceed-  ' 
ings,  punish  its  Members    for  disorderly  Behavior,  and, 
with  the  Concui-rence  of  two  thirds,  expel  a  Member. 


418  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

Each  House  shall  keep  a  Journal  of  its  Proceedings, 
and  from  time  to  time  publish  the  same,  excepting  such 
Parts  as  may  in  their  Judgment  require  Secrecy ;  and  the 
Yeas  and  Nays  of  the  Members  of  either  House  on  any 
question  shall,  at  the  Desire  of  one-fifth  of  those  Present, 
be  entered  on  the  Journal. 

Neither  House,  during  the  Session  of  Congress,  shall, 
without  the  Consent  of  the  other,  adjourn  for  more  than 
three  days,  nor  to  any  other  Place  than  that  in  which  the 
two  Jlouses  shall  be  sitting. 

SECTION  6.  The  Senators  and  Representatives  shall  re- 
ceive  a  Compensation  for  their  Services,  to  be  ascertained 
by  Law,  and  paid  out  of  the  Treasury  of  the  United 
States.  They  shall  in  all  cases,  except  Treason,  Felony 
and  Breach  of  the  Peace,  be  privileged  from  Arrest  dur- 
ing their  Attendance  at  the  Session  of  their  respective 
Houses,  and  in  going  to  and  returning  from  the  same ; 
and  for  any  Speech  or  Debate  in  either  House,  they  shall 
not  be  questioned  in  any  other  Place. 

No  Senator  or  Representative  shall,  during  the  Time 
for  which  he  was  elected,  be  appointed  to  any  civil  Office 
under  the  Authority  of  the  United  States,  which  shall 
have  been  created,  or  the  Emoluments  whereof  shall  have 
been  increased  during  such  time ;  and  no  Person  hold- 
ing any  Office  under  the  United  States,  shall  be  a 
Member  of  either  House  during  his  Continuance  in  Office. 

SECTION  7.  All  Bills  for  raising  Revenue  shall  origin- 
ate in  the  House  of  Kepresentatives ;  but  the  Senate  may 
propose  or  concur  with  Amendments  as  on  other  Bills. 

Every  Bill  which  shall  have  passed  the  House  of  Re- 
presentatives and  the  Senate,  shall,  before  it  become  a 
Law,  be  presented  to  the  President  of  the  Lrnited  States  ; 
If  he  approve  he  shall  sign  it,  but  if  not  he  shall  return  it, 
with  his  Objections  to  that  House  in  which  it  shall  have 
originated,  who  shall  enter  the  Objections  at  large  on 
their  Journal,  and  proceed  to  reconsider  it.  If  after  such 
Reconsideration  two-thirds  of  that  House  shall  agree  to 
pass  the  bill,  it  shall  be  sent,  together  with  the  Objections, 
to  the  other  House,  by  which  it  shall  likewise  be  reconsid- 
ered, and  if  approved"  by  two-thirds  of  that  House,  it  shall 


THE    CONSTITUTION.  419 

become  a  Law.  But  in  all  such  Cases  the  Votes  of  both 
Houses  shall  be  determined  by  yeas  and  Nays,  and  the 
Names  of  the  Persons  voting  for  and  against  the  Bill  shall 
be  entered  on  the  Journal  of  each  House  respectively.  If 
any  Bill  shall  not  be  returned  by  the  President  within 
ten  Days  (Sundays  excepted)  after  it  shall  have  been  pre- 
sented to  him,  the  Same  shall  be  a  law,  in  like  Manner  as 
if  he  had  signed  it,  unless  the  Congress  by  their  Adjourn- 
ment prevent  its  Keturn,  in  which  Case  it  shall  not  be  a 
Law. 

Every  Order,  Resolution,  or  Vote  to  which  the  Con- 
currence of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  may 
be  necessary  (except  on  a  question  of  Adjournment)  shall 
be  presented  to  the  President  of  the  United  States ;  and 
before  the  Same  shall  take  Effect,  shall  be  approved  by 
him,  or  being  disapproved  by  him,  shall  be  repassed  by 
two-thirds  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives, 
according  to  the  Rules  and  Limitations  prescribed  in  the 
Case  of  a  Bill. 

SECTION  8.     The  Congress  shall  have  Power 

To  lay  and  collect  Taxes,  Duties,  Imposts  and  Excises, 
to  pay  the  Debts  and  provide  for  the  common  Defence 
and  general  Welfare  of  the  United  States;  but  all  Duties, 
Imposts  and  Excises  shall  be  uniform  throughout  the 
United  States; 

To  borrow  Money  on  the  credit  of  the  United  States ; 

To  regulate  Commerce  with  foreign  Nations,  and  among 
the  several  States,  and  with  the  Indian  Tribes ; 

To  establish  an  uniform  Rule  of  Naturalization,  and  uni- 
form Laws  on  the  subject  of  Bankruptcies  throughout  the 
United  States  ; 

To  coin  Money,  regulate  the  Value  thereof,  and  of  for- 
eign Coin,  and  fix  the  Standard  of  Weights  and  Measures; 
'  To  pi-ovide  for  the  Punishment  of  counterfeiting  the 
Securities  and  current  Coin  of  the  United  States ; 

To  establish  Post  Offices  and  post  Roads ; 

To  promote  the  progress  of  Science  and  useful  Arts,  by 
securing  for  limited  Times  to  Authors  and  Inventors  the 
exclusive  Right  to  their  respective  Writings  and  Discov- 
eries j 

S 


420  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.    GOVERNMENT. 

To  constitute  Tribunals  inferior  to  the  Supreme  Court; 

To  define  and  punish  Piracies  and  Felonies  committed 
on  the  high  Seas,  and  Ofiences  against  the  Law  of  Nations  ; 

To  declare  War,  grant  Letters  of  Marque  and  Re- 
prisal, and  make  Rules  concerning  Captures  on  Land  and 
Water  ; 

To  raise  and  support  Armies,  but  no  Appropriation  of 
Money  to  that  Use  shall  be  for  a  longer  Term  than  two 
Years  ; 

To  provide  and  maintain  a  Navy ; 

To  make  Rules  for  the  Government  and  Regulation  of 
the  land  and  naval  Forces ; 

To  provide  for  calling  forth  the  Militia  to  execute  the 
Laws  of  the  Union,  suppress  Insurrections  and  repel  In- 
vasions ; 

To  provide  for  organizing,  arming,  and  disciplining,  the 
Militia,  and  for  governing  such  Part  of  them  as  may  be 
employed  in  the  Service  of  the  United  States,  reserving 
to  the  States  respectively,  the  Appointment  of  the  Officers, 
and  the  Authority  of  training  the  Militia  according  to 
the  Discipline  prescribed  by  Congress ; 

To  exercise  exclusive  Legislation  in  all  Cases  whatso- 
ever, over  such  District  (not  exceeding  ten  Miles  square) 
as  may,  by  Cession  of  particular  States,  and  the  Accep- 
tance of  Congress,  become  the  Seat  of  the  Government  of 
the  United  States,  and  to  exercise  like  Authority  over  all 
Places  purchased  by  the  Consent  of  the  Legislature  of  the 
State  in  which,  the  Same  shall  be,  for  the  Erection  of 
Forts,  Magazines,  Arsenals,  Dock- Yards,  and  other  needful 
Buildings ; — And 

To  make  all  Laws  which  shall  be  necessary  and  proper 
for  carrying  into  Execution  the  foregoing  Powers,  and  all 
other  Powers  vested  by  this  Constitution  in  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,  or  in  any  Department  or 
Officer  thereof. 

SECTION  9.  The  Migration  or  Importation  of  such  Per- 
sons, as  any  of  the  States  now  existing  shall  think  proper 
to  admit,  shall  not  be  prohibited  by  the  Congress  prior  to 
the  Year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  eight,  but  a 


THE   CONSTITUTION.  421 

Tax  or  Duty  may  be  imposed  on  such  Importation,  not 
exceeding  ten  dollars  for  each  Person. 

The  Privilege  of  the  Writ  of  Habeas  Corpus  shall  not 
be  suspended,  unless  when  in  Cases  of  Rebellion  or  Inva- 
sion the  public  Safety  may  require  it. 

No  Bill  of  Attainder  or  ex  post  facto  Law  shall  be 
passed. 

No  Capitation,  or  other  direct,  Tax  shall  be  laid  unless 
in  Proportion  to  the  Census  or  Enumeration  herein  before 
directed  to  be  taken. 

No  Tax  or  Duty  shall  be  laid  on  Articles  exported  from 
any  State. 

No  Preference  shall  be  given  by  any  Regulation  of 
Commerce  or  Revenue  to  the  Ports  of  one  State  over  those 
of  another:  nor  shall  Vessels  bound  to,  or  from  one  State, 
be  obliged  to  enter,  clear,  or  pay  Duties  in  another. 

No  Money  shall  be  drawn  from  the  Treasury,  but  in 
Consequence  of  Appropriations  made  by  Law  ;  and  a 
regular  Statement  and  Account  of  the  Receipts  and  Ex- 
penditures of  all  public  Money  shall  be  published  from 
time  to  time. 

No  Title  of  Nobility  shall  be  granted  by  the  United 
States  :  And  no  Person  holding  any  Office  of  Profit  or 
Trust  under  them,  shall,  without  the  Consent  of  the  Con- 
gress, accept  of  any  present,  Emolument,  Office,  or  Title, 
of  any  kind  whatever,  from  any  King,  Prince,  or  foreign 
State. 

SECTION  10.  No  State  shall  enter  into  any  Treaty, 
Alliance,  or  Confederation ;  grant  Letters  of  Marque  and 
Reprisal;  coin  Money;  emit  Bills  of  Credit;  make  any 
Thing  but  gold  and  silver  Coin  a  Tender  in  Payment  of 
Debts  ;  pass  any  Bill  of  Attainder,  ex  post  facto  Law,  or 
Law  impairing  the  Obligation  of  Contracts,  or  grant  any 
Title  of  Nobility. 

No  State  shall,  without  the  consent  of  the  Congress,  lay 
any  Imposts  or  Duties  on  Imports  or  Exports,  except 
what  may  be  absolutely  necessary  for  executing  it's  in- 
spection Laws:  and  the  net  Produce  of  all  Duties  and 
Imposts,  laid  by  any  State  on  Imports  or  Exports,  shall  be 
for  the  Use  if  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States ;  and  all 


422  OUTLINES   OF   U.    S.    GOVERNMENT. 

such  Laws  shall  be  subject  to  the  Revision  and  Control 
of  the  Congress. 

No  State  shall,  without  the  Consent  of  Congress,  lay  any 
Duty  of  Tonnage,  keep  Troops,  or  Ships  of  War  in  time  of 
Peace,  enter  into  any  Agreement  or  Compact  with  another 
State,  or  with  a  foreign  "Power,  or  engage  in  War,  unless 
actually  invaded,  or  in  such  imminent  Danger  as  will 
not  admit  of  Delay. 

ARTICLE  II. 

SECTION  1.  The  executive  Power  shall  be  vested  in  a 
President  of  the  United  States  of  America.  He  shall  hold 
his  Office  during  the  Term  of  four  Years,  and,  together 
with  the  Vice-President,  chosen  for  the  same  Term,  be 
elected,  as  follows : 

Each  State  shall  appoint,  in  such  Manner  as  the  Legis- 
lature thereof  may  direct,  a  Number  of  Electors,  equal 
to  the  whole  Number  of  Senators  and  Representatives  to 
which  the  State  may  be  entitled  in  the  Congress  ;  but  no 
Senator  or  Representative,  or  Person  holding  an  Office  of 
Trust  or  Profit  under  the  United  States,  shall  be  appointed 
an  Elector. 

[*  The  Electors  shall  meet  in  their  respective  States,  and  vote  by 
Ballot  for  two  Persons,  of  whom  one  at  least  shall  not  be  an  In- 
habitant of  the  same  State  with  themselves.  And  they  shall  make 
a  List  of  all  the  Persons  voted  for,  and  of  the  Number  of  Votes  lor 
each  ;  which  List  they  shall  sign  and  certify,  and  transmit  sealed  to 
the  Seat  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  directed  to  the 
President  of  the  Senate.  The  President  of  the  Senate  shall,  in  the 
Presence  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  open  nil  the 
Certificates,  and  the  Votes  shall  then  l>e  counted.  The  Person 
having  the  greatest  Numl>er  of  Votes  shall  be  the  President,  if  such 
Number  be  a  Majority  of  the  whole  Number  of  Electors  appointed  ; 
and  if  there  be  more  than  one  who  have  such  Majority,  and  have 
nn  equal  Nnmber  of  Votes,  then  the  House  of  Representatives  shall 
immediately  choose  by  Ballot  one  of  them  for  President :  and  if  no 
Penan  have  a  Majority,  then  from  the  five  highest  on  the  List  the 
taid  House  shall  in  like  Manner  choose  the  President.  But  iu 

*  This  clause  within  brackets  has  l>een  superceded  and  annulled 
by  the  12th  amendment,  on  page  432. 


THE  CONSTITUTION.  423 

choosing  the  President,  the  Votes  shall  be  taken  by  States,  the 
Representation  from  each  State  having  one  Vote ;  A  Quorum  for 
this  Purpose  shall  consist  of  a  Member  or  Members  from  two- 
thirds  of  the  States,  and  a  Majority  of  all  the  States  shall  be  neces- 
sary to  a  Choice.  In  every  Case,  after  the  Choice  of  the  President, 
the  Person  having  the  greatest  Number  of  Votes  of  the  Eii-cum 
shall  be  the  Vice-president.  But  if  there  should  remain  two  or 
more  who  have  equal  Votes,  the  Senate  shall  choose  from  them  by 
Ballot  the  Vice-President.] 

The  Congress  may  determine  the  Time  of  choosing  the 
Electors,  and  the  Day  on  which  they  shall  give  their 
Votes;  which  Day  shall  be  the  same  throughout  the 
United  States. 

No  Person  except  a  natural  born  Citizen,  or  a  Citizen  of 
the  United  States,  at  the  time  of  the  Adoption  of  this 
Constitution,  shall  be  eligible  to  the  Office  of  President ; 
neither  shall  any  person  be  eligible  to  that  Office  who 
shall  not  have  attained  to  the  age  of  thirty-five  Years,  and 
been  fourteen  Years  a  Resident  within  the  United  States. 

In  Case  of  the  Removal  of  the  President  from  Office,  or 
of  his  Death,  Resignation,  or  Inability  to  discharge  the 
Powers  and  Duties  of  the  said  Office,  the  same  shall  de- 
volve on  the  Vice-President,  and  the  Congress  may  by 
Law  provide  for  the  Case  of  Removal,  Death,  Resigna- 
tion, or  Inability,  both  of  the  President  and  Vice-Presi- 
dent, declaring  what  Officer  shall  then  act  as  President, 
and  such  Officer  shall  act  accordingly,  until  the  Disability 
be  removed,  or  a  President  shall  be  elected. 

The  President  shall,  at  stated  Times,  receive  for  his 
Services,  a  Compensation,  which  shall  neither  be  increased 
nor  diminished  during  the  Period  for  which  he  shall  have 
been  elected,  and  he  shall  not  receive  within  that  Period 
any  other  Emolument  from  the  United  States,  or  any  of 
them. 

Before  he  cuter  on  the  Execution  of  his  Office,  he  shall 
take  the  following  oath  or  Affirmation  : — 

*'•  I  do  solemnly  swear  (or  affirm)  that  I  will  faithfully 
"  execute  the  Office  of  President  of  the  United  States,  and 
"will  to  the  best  of  my  Ability,  preserve,  protect  and 
"  defend  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States." 


424  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

SECTION  2  The  President  shall  be  Commandcr-in-Chief 
of  the  Army  and  Xuvy  of  the  United  States,  and  of  tho 
Militia  of  the  several  States,  when  called  into  the  actual 
service  of  the  United  States ;  he  may  require  the  Opinion, 
in  writing,  of  the  principal  Officer  in  each  of  the  executive 
Departments,  upon  any  subject  relating  to  the  Duties  of 
their  respective  Offices,  and  lie  shall  have  Power  to  grant 
Reprieves  and  Pardons  for  Offences  against  the  United 
States,  except  in  Cases  of  Impeachment. 

He  shall  have  Power,  by  and  with  the  Advice  and  Con- 
sent of  the  Senate,  to  make  Treaties,  provided  two-thirds 
of  the  Senators  present  conctir  :  and  lie  shall  nominate,  and 
by  and  with  the  Advice  and  Consent  of  the  Senate,  shall 
appoint  Ambassadors,  other  public  Ministers  and  Consuls, 
Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  all  other  Officers  of  tho 
United  States,  whose  Appointments  arc  not  herein  other- 
wise provided  for,  and  which  shall  be  established  by  Law : 
but  the  Congress  may  by  Law  vest  the  Appointment  of 
such  inferior  Officers,  as  they  think  proper,  in  the  Presi- 
dent alone,  in  the  Courts  of  Law,  or  in  the  Heads  of  De- 
partments. 

The  President  shall  have  Power  to  fill  up  all  Vacancies 
that  may  happen  during  the  Recess  of  the  Senate,  by 
granting  Commissions  which  shall  expire  at  the  End  of 
their  next  Sessions. 

SECTION  3.  He  shall  from  time  to  time  give  to  the 
Congress  Information  of  the  State  of  the  Union,  and  rec- 
ommend to  their  Consideration  such  Measures  as  he  shall 
judge  necessary  and  expedient;  he  may,  on  extraordinary 
Occasions,  convene  both  Houses,  or  either  of  them,  and  in 
Cases  of  Disagreement  between  them,  with  Respect  to  the 
Time  of  Adjournment,  he  may  adjourn  them  to  such  Time 
as  he  shall  think  proper ;  he  shall  receive  Ambassadors 
and  other  public  Ministers;  he  shall  take  care  that  the 
Laws  be  faithfully  executed,  and  shall  Commission  all 
the^ officers  of  the  United  States. 

SECTION  4.  The  President,  Vice -President  and  all  civil 
Officers  of  the  United  States,  shall  be  removed  from 
Office  on  Impeachment  for,  and  Conviction  of,  Treason. 
Bribery,  or  other  high  Crimes  and  Misdemeanors. 


THE   CONSTITUTION.  425 

ARTICLE  IIL 

SECTION  1.  The  judicial  Power  of  the  United  States, 
shall  be  vested  in  one  supreme  court,  and  such  inferior 
Courts  as  the  Congress  may  from  time  to  time  ordain  and 
establish.  The  Judges,  both  of  the  supreme  and  inferior 
Courts,  shall  hold  their  Offices  during  good  Behavior,  and 
shall,  at  stated  times,  receive  for  their  Services  a  Compen- 
sation, which  shall  not  be  diminished  during  their  contin- 
uance hi  Office. 

SECTION  2.  The  judicial  Power  shall  extend  to  all 
cases,  in  Law  and  Equity,  arising  under  this  Constitution, 
the  Laws  of  the  United  States,  and  Treaties  made,  or 
which  shall  be  made,  under  their  Authority ; — to  all  Cases 
affecting  Ambassadors,  other  public  Ministers,  and  Con- 
suls ; — to  all  Cases  of  admiralty  and  maritime  Jurisdiction ; 
— to  Controversies  to  which  the  United  States  shall  be  a 
Party; — to  Controversies  between  two  or  more  States; 
— between  a  State  and  Citizens  of  another  State ;  between 
Citizens  of  different  States, — between  Citizens  of  the 
same  State  claiming  Lands  under  Grants  of  different 
States,  and  between  a  State,  or  the  Citizens  thereof,  and 
foreign  States,  Citizens  or  Subjects. 

In  all  Cases  affecting  Ambassadors,  other  public  Minis- 
ters and  Consuls,  and  those  in  which  a  State  shall  be  a 
Party,  the  supreme  Court  shall  have  original  Jurisdiction. 

In  all  the  other  Cases  before  mentioned,  the  supreme 
Court  shall  have  appellate  Jurisdiction,  both  as  to  Law 
and  Fact,  with  such  exceptions,  and  under  such  llegula- 
tions  as  the  Congress  shall  make. 

The  trial  of  all  crimes,  except  in  cases  of  Impeachment, 
shall  be  by  Jury  ;  and  such  trial  shall  be  held  in  the  State 
where  the  said  crimes  shall  have  been  committed;  but 
when  not  committed  within  any  State,  the  Trial  shall  be 
at  such  Place  or  Places  as  the  Congress  may  by  Law 
have  directed, 

SECTION  3.  Treason  against  the  United  States  shall 
consist  only  in  levying  war  against  them,  or  in  adhering 
to  their  Enemies,  giving  them  Aid  and  Comfort.  No  per- 


426  OUTLINES  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

r-on  shall  "be  convicted  of  Treason  unless  on  the  Testimony 
of  two  "Witnesses  to  the  same  overt  Act,  or  on  Confession 
in  open  Court. 

The  Congress  shall  have  Power  to  declare  the  Punish" 
m«nt  of  Treason,  but  no  Attainder  of  Treason  shall  work 
Corruption  of  Blood,  or  Forfeiture  except  during  the  Life 
of  the  Person  attainted. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

SECTION  1.  Full  Faith  and  Credit  shall  be  given  in 
each  State  to  tho  public  Acts,  Records,  and  judicial  Pro- 
ceedings of  every  other  State.  And  the  Congress  may 
by  general  Laws  prescribe  the  Manner  in  which  such  Acts, 
Records  and  Proceedings  shall  be  proved,  and  the  Effect 
thereof. 

SECTION-  2.  The  Citizens  of  each  State  shall  be  entitled 
to  all  Privileges  and  Immunities  of  Citizens  in  the  several 
States. 

A  Person  charged  in  any  State  with  Treason,  Felony, 
or  other  Crime,  T\ho  shall  flee  from  Justice,  and  be  found 
in  another  State,  shall  on  Demand  of  the  executive  Au- 
thority of  the  State  from  which  he  fled,  be  delivered  up, 
to  be  removed  to  the  State  having  Jurisdiction  of  the 
Crime. 

No  Person  held  to  Service  or  Labour  in  one  State, 
under  the  Laws  thereof,  escaping  into  another,  shall,  in 
Consequence  of  any  Law  or  Regulation  therein,  be  dis- 
charged from  such  Service  or  Labour,  but  shall  be  deliv- 
ered up  on  Claim  of  the  Party  to  whom  such  Service  or 
Labour  may  be  due, 

SECTION  3.  New  States  may  be  admitted  by  the  Con- 
gress into  this  Union  ;  but  no  new  State  shall  be  formed 
or  erected  within  the  Jurisdiction  of  any  other  State ;  nor 
any  State  bo  formed  by  the  Junction  of  two  or  more  States, 
or  Parts  of  States,  without  the  Consent  of  the  Legislatures 
of  the  States  concerned  as  well  as  of  the  Congress. 

The  Congress  shall  have  Power  to  dispose  of  and  make 
all  needfurRules  and  Regulations  respecting  the  Terri- 


THE   CONSTITUTION.  427 

tory  or  other  Property  belonging  to  the  United  States  ; 
and  nothing  in  this  Constitution  shall  be  so  construed  as 
to  Prejudice  any  Claims  of  the  United  States,  or  of  any 
particular  Slate. 

SECTION  4.  The  United  States  shall  guarantee  to  every 
State  in  this  Union  .a  Republican  Form  of  Government, 
and  shall  protect  each  of  them  against  Invasion,  and  on 
Application  of  the  Legislature,  or  of  the  Executive  (when 
the  Legislature  cannot  be  convened)  against  domestic 
Violence. 

ARTICLE  V. 

The  Congress,  whenever  two  thirds  of  both  Houses  shall 
deem  it  necessary,  shall  propose  Amendments  to  this  Con- 
stitution, or,  on  the  Application  of  the  Legislatures  of  two 
thirds  of  the  several  States,  shall  call  a  Convention  for 
proposing  A)nendmeuts,  which,  in  either  Case,  shall  be 
valid  to  all  Intents  and  Purposes,  as  Part  of  this  Constitu- 
tion, when  ratified  by  the  Legislatures  of  three-fourths  of 
the  several  States,  or  by  Conventions  in  three-fourths 
thereof,  as  the  one  or  the  other  Mode  of  Ratification  may 
be  proposed  by  the  Congress  ;  Provided  that  no  Aniend- 
ment  which  may  be  made  prior  to  the  Year  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  eight  shall  in  any  Manner  affect  the 
first  and  fourth  Clauses  in  the  Ninth  Section  of  the  first 
Article ;  and  that  no  State,  without  its  Consent,  shall  be 
deprived  of  its  equal  Suffrage  in  the  Senate. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

All  Debts  contracted  and  Engagments  entered  into, 
before  the  Adoption  of  this  Constitution,  shall  be  as  valid 
against  the  United  States  under  this  Constitution,  as  under 
the  Confederation. 

This  Constitution,  and  the  Laws  of  the  United  States 
which  shall  be  made  in  Pursuance  thereof;  and  all 
Treaties  made,  or  which  shall  be  made,  under  the  author- 
ity of  the  United  States,  shall  be  the  supreme  La\v  of 
the  land ;  and  the  Judges  in  every  State  shall  be  bound 


428  OUTLINES  OP  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT. 

thereby,  any  Thing  in  the  Constitution  of  Laws  of  any 
State  to  the  Contrary  notwithstanding. 

The  Senators  and  Representatives  before  mentioned, 
and  the  Members  of  the  several  State  Legislatures,  and 
all  executive  and  judicial  Officers,  both  of  the  United 
States  and  of  the  several  States,  shall  be  bound  by  Oath 
or  Affirmation,  to  support  this  Constitution ;  but  no  re- 
ligious Test  shall  ever  be  required  as  a  Qualification  to 
any  Office  or  public  Trust  under  the  United  States. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

The  Ratification  of  the  Conventions  of  nine  States, 
shall  be  sufficient  for  the  Establishment  of  this  Constitu- 
tion between  the  States  so  ratifying  the  Same. 

DONE  in  Convention  by  the  Unaimous  Consent  of  the 
States  present  the  Seventeenth  Day  of  September  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  Eighty  seven  and  of  the  Independence  of  the 
United  States  of  America  the  Twelfth.  IN  WITNESS 
whereof  We  have  hereunto  subscribed  our  Names, 

GEO.  WASHINGTON— 
President  and  deputy  from  Virginia. 

NEW  HAMPSHIRE. 
JOHN  LANGDON,  NICHOLAS  GILMAN. 

MASSACHUSETTS. 
NATHANIEL  GORHAM,  RUFUS  KING. 

.CONNECTICUT, 
WM.  SAML.  JOHNSON,  ROGER  SHERMAN. 

NEW   YORK. 
ALEXANDER  HAMILTON. 

NEW  JERSEY. 

WIL.  LIVINGSTON,  DAVID  BREARLEY 

WM.  PATERSCN,  JON  A  DAYTON. 


THE   CONSTITUTION.  429 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

B.  FRANKLIN,  THOMAR  MIFFLIN, 

KOBT.  MORRIS,  GEO.  CLYMER, 

THO.    FITZSIMONS,  JARED  INGERSOLL. 

JAMES  WILSON,  Gouv.  MORRIS. 

DELAWARE. 

GKO.   READ,  GUNNING  BEDFORD,  Jun'r, 

JOHN  DICKINSON,  RICHARD  BASSETT, 

JACO.    BROOM. 

MARYLAND'. 

JAMES  M'HENRY,  DAN.  OF  ST.  THOS.  JENIFER, 

DANL.  CARROLL. 

VIRGINIA. 
JOHN  BLAIR,  JAMES  MADISON,  Jr., 

NORTH  CAROLINA. 

WM.  BLOUNT,  RICH'D  DOBBS  SPAIGHT, 

Hu.  WILLIAMSON. 

SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

J.  RCTLEDGE,  CHAS.  COTESWORTH  PlNCKNEY, 

CHARLES  PINCKNEY,  PIERCE  BUTLER. 

GEORGIA. 
WILLIAM  FEW,  ABR.  BALDWIN. 

Attest :  WILLIAM  JACKSON,  Secretary. 


430  OUTLINES  OF  U«  S.  GOVERNMENT. 


ARTICLES 

IN  ADDITION"  TO,  AND  AMENDMENT  OF, 
THE  CONSTITUTION 

OF  THE 

UNITED  STATES  OF  AMEKICA, 

Proposal  by  Congress,  and  ratified  by  the  Legislatures  of 
the  several  States,  pursuant  to  the  fifth  article  of  the 
original  Constitution. 

ARTICLE  I. 

Congress  shall  make  no  law  respecting  an  establishment 
of  religion,  or  prohibiting  the  free  exercise  thereof;  or 
abridging  the  freedom  of  speech,  or  of  the  press ;  or  the 
right  of  the  people  peaceably  to  assemble,  and  to  petition 
the  Government  for  a  redress  of  grievances. 

ARTICLE  II. 

A  well  regulated  Militia,  being  necessary  to  the  security 
of  a  free  State,  the  right  of  the  people  to  keep  and  bear 
Arms,  shall  not  be  infringed. 

ARTICLE  III. 
/ 

No   Soldier  shall,  in  time  of  peace  be  quartered  in  any 


AMENDMENTS    TO    THE    CONSTITUTION.         431 

house,  without    the  consent  of  the  Owner,  nor  in  time  of 
war,  but  in  a  manner  to  be  prescribed  by  law. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

The  right  of  the  people  to  be  secure  in  their  persons, 
houses,  papers,  and  effects,  against  unreasonable  searches 
and  seizures,  shall  not  be  violated,  and  no  Warrants  shall 
issue,  but  upon  probable  cause,  supported  by  Oath  or 
affirmation,  and  particularly  describing  the  place  to  be 
searched,  and  the  persons  or  things  to  be  seized. 

ARTICLE  V. 

No  person  shall  be  held  to  answer  for  a  capital,  or 
otherwise  infamous  crime,  unless  on  a  presentment  or  in- 
dicment  of  a  Grand  Jury,  except  in  cases  arising  in  the 
land  or  naval  forces,  or  in  the  Militia,  when  in  actual  ser- 
vice in  time  of  War  or  public  danger ;  nor  shall  any  person 
be  subject  for  the  same  offence  to  be  twice  put  in  jeopardy 
of  life  or  limb  ;  nor  shall  be  compelled  in  any  Criminal 
Case  to  be  a  witness  against  himself,  nor  be  deprived  of 
life,  liberty,  or  property,  without  due  process  of  law ;  nor 
shall  private  property  be  taken  for  pu1,»ic  use,  without 
just  compensation. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

In  all  criminal  prosecutions,  the  accused  shall  enjoy  tho 
right  to  a  speedy  and  public  trial,  by  an  impartial  jury  of 
the  State  and  district  wherein  the  crime  shall  have  been 
committed,  which  district  shall  have  been  previously  ascer- 
tained by  law,  and  to  be  informed  of  th-j  nature  and  cause 
of  the  accusation ;  to  be  confronted  with  the  witnesses 
against  him  ;  to  have  Compulsory  process  for  obtaining 
Witnesses  in  his  favour,  and  to  have  the  Assistance  of 
Counsel  for  his  defence. 


4.32  OUTLINES    OF    U.    S.    GOVERNMHXT. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

In  Suits  at  common  law,  where  the  value  in  controversy 
shall  exceed  twenty  dollars,  the  right  of  trial  by  jury  shall 
be  preserved,  and  no  fact  tried  by  a  jury  shall  be  other- 
wise re-examined  in  any  Court  of  the  Hnited  States,  than 
according  to  the  rules  of  the  common  law. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

Excessive  bail  shall  not  be  required,  nor  excessive  fi'.ies 
imposed,  nor  cruel  and  unusual  punishments  inflicted. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

The  enumeration  in  the  Constitution,  of  certain  rights, 
shall  not  be  construed  to  deny  or  disparage  others  retained 
by  the  people. 

ARTICLE  X. 

The  Powers  not  delegated  to  the  United  States  by  the 
Constitution,  nor  prohibited  by  it  to  the  States,  are  re- 
served to  the  States  respectively,  or  to  the  people. 

ARTILCE  XL 

The  Judicial  power  of  the  United  States  shall  not  be 
construed  to  extend  to  any  suit  in  law  or  equity,  com- 
menced or  prosecuted  against  one  of  the  United  States 
by  Citizens  of  another  State,  or  by  Citizens  or  Subjects 
of  any  Foreign  State. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

The  Electors  shall  meet  in  their  respective  states, 
and  vote  1»\  ballot  for  President  and  Vice-Prepidont, 
one  of  whom,  at  least,  shall  not  be  an  inhabitant  of 
the  same  state  with  themselves ;  they  shall  name  in 
their  ballots  the  person  voted  for  as  President,  and  in 


AMENDMENTS    TO    THE    CONSTITUTION.          433 

distinct  ballots  the  person  voted  for  as  Vice-President, 
and  they  shall  make  distinct  lists  of  all  persons  voted  for 
as  President,  and  of  all  persons  voted  for  as  Vice-Presi- 
dent, and  of  the  number  of  votes  for  each,  which  lists  they 
shall  sign  and  certify,  and  transmit  sealed  to  the  seat  of 
the  government  of  the  United  States,  directed  to  the  Pres- 
ident of  the  Senate ; — The  President  of  the  Senate  shall, 
in  presence  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives, 
open  all  the  certificates  and  the  votes  shall  then  be 
counted ; — The  person  having  the  greatest  number  of 
votes  for  President,  shall  be  the  President,  if  such  num- 
ber be  a  majority  of  the  whole  number  of  Electors  ap- 
pointed ;  and  if  no  person  have  such  majority,  then  from 
the  persons  having  the  highest  numbers  not  exceeding 
three  »n  the  list  of  those  voted  for  as  President,  the 
House  of  Representatives  shall  choose  immediately,  by 
ballot,  the  President.  But  in  choosing  the  President,  the 
votes  shall  bo  taken  by  States,  the  representation  from 
each  state  having  one  vote ;  a  quorum  for  this  purpose 
shall  consist  of  a  member  or  members  from  two-thii'ds  of 
the  states,  and  a  majority  of  all  the  states  shall  be  neces- 
sary to  a  choice.  And  if  the  House  of  Kepresentatives 
shall  not  choose  a  President  whenever  the  right  of  choice 
shall  devolve  upon  them,  before  the  fourth  day  of  March 
next  following,  then  the  Vice- President  shall  act  as  Presi- 
dent, as  in  the  case  of  the  death  or  other  Constitutional 
disability  of  the  President.  The  person  having  the  great- 
est number  of  votes  as  Vice-President,  shall  be  the  Vice- 
President,  if  such  number  be  a  majority  of  the  whole 
number  of  Electors  appointed,  and  if  no  person  have  a 
majority,  then  from  the  two  highest  numbers  on  the  list, 
the  Senate  shall  choose  the  Vice-President ;  a  quorum  for 
the  purpose  shall  consist  of  two-thirds  of  the  wrhole  num- 
ber of  benators,  and  a  majority  of  the  whole  number  shall 
be  necessary  to  a  choice.  But  no  person  constitutionally 
ineligible  to  the  office  of  President  shall  be  eligible  to 
that  of  Vice-President  of  the  United  States. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 
SECTION  1.    Neither  slavery  nor  involuntary  servitude, 


434  OUTLINES  OF  U.    S. 

except  as  a  punishment  for  crime,  whereof  the  party  shall 
have  b<--en  duly  convicted,  shall  exist  within  the  United  States, 
or  any  place  subject  to  their  jurisdiction. 

SECTION  2.  Congress  shall  have  power  to  enforce  this  arti- 
cle, by  appropriate  legislation. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

SECTION  1.  All  persons  born  or  natuaralized  in  the  United  States  and 
rabject  to  the  jurisdiction  thereof  are  citizens  of  the  United  States,  and  of 
the  State  wherein  they  reside.  No  State  shall  make  or  enforce  any  law 
which  shall  abridge  the  privileges  or  immunities  of  citizens  of  the  United 
States ;  nor  shall  any  State  deprive  any  person  of  life,  liberty  or  property 
without  due  process  of  law,  nor  deny  to  any  person  within  its  jurisdiction 
the  equal  protection  of  the  laws. 

SEC.  2.  Representatives  shall  be  appointed  among  the  several  States 
according  to  their  respective  numbers,  counting  the  whole  number  of  per- 
sons in  each  State,  excluding  Indians  not  taxed ;  bnt  when  the  right  to 
vote  at  any  election  for  the  choice  of  electors  for  President  and  Vice-Pres- 
ident  of  the  United  States,  Representatives  in  Congress,  the  executive  and 
judicial  officers  of  a  State  or  the  members  of  the  Legislature  thereof,  la 
denied  to  any  of  the  male  inhabitants  of  such  State,  being  twenty-one 
years  of  age  and  citizens  of  the  United  States,  or  in  anyway  abridged  ex- 
cept for  participation  in  rebellion  or  other  crimes,  the  basis  of  representa- 
tion therein  shall  be  reduced  in  the  proportion  which  the  number  of  such 
male  citizens  shall  bear  to  the  whole  number  of  male  citzeus  twenty-one 
years  of  age  in  such  State. 

SEC.  3.  No  person  shall  be  a  Senator  or  Representative  in  Congress  or 
elector  of  President  and  Vice- President,  or  hold  any  office,  civil  or  military, 
under  the  United  States  or  under  any  State  who,  having  previously  taken 
nn  oath  as  a  member  of  Congress,  or  as  an  officer  of  the  United  States,  or 
os  a  member  of  any  State  Legislature,  or  as  an  executive  or  judicial  officer 
of  any  State,  to  support  the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  shall  have 
engaged  in  insurrection  or  rebellion  against  the  same,  or  given  aM  or  com- 
fort to  the  enemies  thereof.  But  Congress  may,  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of 
«ach  house,  remove  such  disability. 

SEC.  4.  The  validity  of  the  public  debt  of  the  United  States  authorized  by 
law,  inclnding  debts  incurred  for  payment  of  pensions  unJ  bounties  for 
cervices  in  suppressing  insurrection  or  rebellion,  shall  not  be  questioned. 
But  neither  th :  United  States  nor  any  State  shall  assume  or  pay  any  debt 
or  obligation  incurred  in  the  aid  of  insurrection  or  rebellion  against  the 
United  States,  or  any  loss  or  emancipation  of  any  slave,  but  such  debts, 
obligations  and  claims  shall  be  held  illegal  and  void. 

£EC.  5  The  Congress  shall  have  the  power  to  enforce,  by  appropriate 
legislation,  the  provisions  of  this  article. 

Of  the  14th  Amendment,  find  remarks  on  page  460 


STANDING  RULES  AND  ORDERS 

FOR    CONDUCTING    BUSINESS   IN   THE 

HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 

-4s  amended  at  the  1st  session  of  the  36th  Congress. 


TOUCHING   THE    IHJTT    OF   TFIE    SPEAKER. 

1.  He  shall  take  the  chair  every  day  precisely  at  the  hour  to 
which  the  House  shall  have  adjourned  on  the  preceding  day; 
shall  immediately  call  the  members  to  order ;  and,  on  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  quorum,  shall  cause  the  journal  of  the  preceding 
day  to  be  read. 

2.  He  shall  preserve  order  and  decorum  ;  may  speak  to  points 
of  order  in  preference  to  other  members,  rising  from  his  seat  for 
that  purpose  ;  and  shall  decide  questions  of  order,  subject  to  an 
appeal  to  the  House  by  any  two  members — on  which  appeal  no 
member  shall  speak  more  than  once,  unless  by  leave  of  the 
House. 

3.  He  shall  rise  to  put  a  question,  but  may  state  it  sitting. 

4.  Questions  shall  be  distinctly  put  in  this  form,  to  wit:  "As 
many  as  are  of  opinion  that  (as  the  question  may  be)  say  Ay  ;" 
and  after  the  affirmative  voice  is  expressed,  "  As  many  as  are  of 
the  contrary  opinion,   say  JVo."    Jf  the  Speaker  doubt,  or  a 
division  be  called  for,  the  House  shall  divide  ;  those  in  the  affirm- 
ative  of    the    question   shall  first  rise   from   their  seats,    and 
afterwards  those  in  the  negative.     If  the  Speaker  still  doubt,  or 
a  count  be  required,  by  at  least  one-fifth  of  the  quorum  of  the 
members,  the  Speaker  shall  name  two  members,  one  from  each 
side,  to  tell  the  members  in  the  affirmative  and  negative  ;  which 
being  reported,  he  shall  rise  and  state  the  decision  to  the  House. 

5.  The  Speaker  shall  examine  and  correct  the  journal  before  it 
is  read.     He  shall  have  a  general  direction  of  the  Hall,  and  the 
unappropriated  rooms  in  that  part  of  the  Capitol  assigned  to  the 
House  shall  be  subject  to  his  order  and  disposal  until  the  further 


436  RULES   OF   THE 

order  of  the  House.  He  shall  have  a  right  to  name  any  member 
to  perform  the  duties  of  the  Chair,  but  such  substitution  shall  not 
extend  beyond  an  adjournment. 

6.  No  person  shall  be  permitted  to  perform  divine  service  in 
the  chamber  occupied  by  the  House  of  [Representatives,  unless 
with  the  consent  of  the  Speaker. 

7.  In  all  cases  of  ballot  by  the  House,  the  Speaker  shall  vote  ; 
in  other  cases  he  shall  not  be  required  to  vote,  unless  the  House 
be  equally  divided,  or  unless  his  vote,  if  given  to  the  minority, 
will  make  the  division  equal ;  and  in  case  of  such  equal  division, 
the  question  shall  be  lost. 

8.  All  acts,  addresses,  and  joint  resolutions,  shall  be  signed  by 
the  Speaker ;  and  all  writs,  warrants  and  subpoenas,  issued  by  or- 
der of  the  House,  shall  be  under  his  hand  and  seal,  attested  by 
the  Clerk. 

9.  In  case  of  any  disturbance   or  disorderly  conduct  in  the 
galleries  or  lobby,  the  Speaker  (or  chairman  of  the  Committee  of 
the  Whole  House,)  shall  have  power  to  order  the  same  to  be 
cleared. 

.   OF  THE  CLERK  AND  OTHER  OFFICERS. 

10.  There  shall  be  elected   at  the    commencement  of   each 
Congress,  to  continue  in  office  until  their  successors  are  appointed, 
a  Clerk,  Sergeant-at-arms,  Doorkeeper,  and  Postmaster,  each  of 
whom  shall  take  an  oath  for  the  true  and  faithful  discharge  of  the 
duties  of  his  office,  to  the  best  of  his  knowledge  and  abilities,  and 
to  keep  the  secrets  of  the  House  ;  and  the  appointees  of  the  Door- 
keer  and  Postmaster  shall  be  subject  to  the  approval  of  the 
Speaker ;  and,  in  all  cases  of  election  by  the  House  of  its  officers, 
the  vote  shall  be  taken  viva  voce. 

11.  In  all  cases  where  other  than  members  of  the  House  may 
be  eligible  to  an  office  by  the  election  of  the  House,  there  shall 
be  a  previous  nomination. 

12.  In  all  other  cases  of  ballot  than  for  committees,  a  majority 
of  the  votes  given  shall  be  necessary  to  an  election  ;  and  where 
there  shall  not  be  such  a  majority  on  the  first  ballot,  the  ballot* 
shall  be  repeated  until  a  majority  be  obtained.     And  in  all  ballot- 
ingd  blanks  shall  be  rejected,  and  not  taken  into  the  count  in 
enumeration  of  the  votes,  or  reported  by  the  tellers. 

13.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Clerk  to  make,  and  cause  to  be 
printed,  and  delivered  to  each  member,  at  the  commencement  of 
every  session  of  Congress,  a  list  of  the  reports  which  it  is  tho 
doty  of  any  officer  or  department  of  the  government  to  make  to 
Congress  ;  referring  to  the  act  or  resolution,  and  page  of  the  vol- 


HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES.  437 

lime  of  the  laws  or  journal  in  which  it  may  be  contained ;  and 
placing  under  the  name  of  each  officer  the  list  of  reports  required 
of  him  to  be  made,  and  the  time  when  the  report  may  be 
expected. 

14.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Clerk  of  the  House,  at  the  end 
of  each  session,  to  send  a  printed  copy  of  the  journals  thereof 
to  the  Executive,  and  to  each  branch  of  the  legislature  of  every 
State. 

15.  All  questions  of  order  shall  be  noted  by  the  Clerk,  with 
the  decision,  and  put  together  at  the  end  of  the  journal  of  every 
session. 

16.  The  Clerk  shall,  within  thirty  days  after  the  close  of  each 
session  of  Congress,   cause  to  be  completed  the  printing  and 
primary  distribution,  to  members  and  delegates,  of  the  Journal 
of  the  House,  together  with  an  accurate  index  of  the  same. 

17.  There  shall  be  retained  in  the  library  of  the  Clerk's  office, 
for  the  use  of  the  members  there,  and  not  to  be  withdrawn  there- 
from, two  copies  of  all  the  books  and  printed  documents  deposited 
in  the  library. 

18.  The  Clerk  shall  have  preserved  for  each  member  of  the 
House,   an  extra  copy,   in  good  binding,  of  all  the  documents 
printed  by   order  of   either   house   at  each  future  session  of 
Congress. 

19.  The  Clerk  shall  make  a  weekly  statement  of  the  resolutions 
and    bills   (Senate  bills    inclusive)    upon    the    Speaker's   table, 
accompanied   with  a    brief  reference    to  the    orders   and   pro- 
ceedings of  the  House  upon  each,  and  the  date  of  such  orders 
and  proceedings ;  which  statement  shall  be  printed  for  the  use 
of  the  members. 

20.  The  Clerk  shall  cause  an  index  to  be  prepared  to  the  acta 
passed  at  every  session  of  Congress,  and  to  be  printed  and  bound 
with  the  acts. 

21.  All  contracts,  bargains,  or  agreements,  relative  to  the  fur- 
nishing any  matter  or  thing,  or  for  the  performance  of  any  labor 
for  the  House  of  Representatives,  shall  be  made  with  the  Clerk, 
or  approved  by  him,  before  any  allowance  shall  be  made  therefor 
by  the  Committee  of  Accounts. 

*22.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Sergeant- at-arms  to  attend  the 
House  during  its  sittings  ;  to  aid  in  the  enforcement  of  order,  un- 
der the  direction  of  the  Speaker  ;  to  execute  the  commands  of  the 
House  from  time  to  time  ;  together  with  all  such  process,  issued 
by  authority  thereof,  as  shall  be  directed  to  him  by  the  Speaker. 
23.  The  symbol  of  his  office  (the  mace)  shall  be  borne  by  the 
Sergeant-at-anns  when  in  the  execution  of  his  office. 


438  EIJLES    07   THE 

24.  The  fees  of  the  Sergeant-at-arms  shall  be  for  every  arrest, 
the  sum  of  two  dollars ;  for  each  day's  custody  and  releasement,' 
one  dollar ;  and  for  travelling  expenses  for  himself  or  a  special 
messenger,  going  and  returning,  one-tenth  of  a  dollar  for  each 
mile  necessarily  and  actually  travelled  by  such  officer  or  other 
person  in  the  execution  of  such  precept  or  summons. 

25.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Sergeant-at-arms  to  keep  the  ac- 
counts for  the  pay  and  mileage  of  members,  to  prepare  checks, 
and,  if  required  to  do  so,  to  draw  the  money  on  such  checks  fur 
the  members,  (the  same  being  previously  signed  by  the  Speaker, 
and  endorsed  by  the  member,)  and  pay  over  the  same  to  the 
member  entitled  thereto. 

26.  The  Sergeant-at-arms  shall  give  bond,  with  surety,  to  the 
United  States,  in  a  sum  not  less  than  five  nor  more  than  ten 
thousand  dollars,  at  the  discretion  of  the  Speaker,  and  with  such 
surety  as  the  Speaker  may  approve,  faithfully  to  account  for  the 
money  coming  into  his  hands  for  the  pay  of  members. 

27.  The  Doorkeeper  shall  execute  strictly  the  134th  and  135th 
rules,  relative  to  the  privilege  of  the  hall.     And  lie  shall  be  re- 
quired at  the  commencement  and  close  of  each  session  of  Congress 
to  take  an  inventory  of  all  the  furniture,  books,  and  other  public 
property  in  the  several  committee  and  other  rooms  under  his 
charge,  and  shall  report  the  same  to  tl*e  House ;  which  report 
shall  be  referred  to  tlte  Committee  on  Accounts,  who  shall  de- 
termine the  amount  for  which  he  shall  be  held  liable  for  inissiug 
articles. 

28.  The  Postmaster  shall  superintend  the  post  office  kept  iu 
the  Capitol  for  the  accommodation  of  the  members. 


29.  No  member  shall  vote  on  any  question  in  the  event  of 
which  he  is  immediately  and  particularly  interested,  or  in  any 
case  where  he  was  not  within  the  bar  of  the  House  when  the 
question  was  put.  And  when  any  member  shall  ask  leave  to 
vote,  the  Speaker  shall  propound  to  him  the  question,  "  Were 
you  within  the  tar  before  the  last  name  on  the  roll  was  called?" 
and  if  he  shall  answer  in  the  negative  the  Speaker  shall  not 
further  entertain  the  request  of  such  member  to  vote :  Provided, 
howecer,  that  any  member  who  was  absent  by  leave  oi'  the  House 
may  vote  at  any  time  before  the  result  is  announced. 

80.  Upon  a  division  and  count  of  the  House  on  any  question, 
no  member  without  the  bar  shall  be  counted. 

81.  Every  member  who  shall  be  in  the  House  when  the  ques- 


ROUSE    OF   EEPEESENTATIVE3.  439 

tion  is  put  shall  give  his  vote,  unless  the  House  shall  excuse  him. 
All  motions  to  excuse  a  member  from  voting  shall  be  made  before 
the  House  divides,  or  before  the  call  of  the  yeas  and  nays  is  com- 
menced ;  and  the  question  shall  then  be  taken  without  debate. 

32.  The  name  of  a  member  who  presents  a  petition  or  memorial, 
or  who  offers  a  resolution  to  the  consideration  of  the  Uouse,  shall 
be  inserted  on  the  journals. 

33.  No  member  shall  absent  himself  from  the  service  of  the 
House,  unless  he  have  leave,  or  be  sick  or  unable  to  attend. 

OF   CALLS   OF   THE    HOUSE. 

84.  Any  fifteen  members  (including  the  Speaker,  if  there  be 
one)  shall  be  authorized  to  compel  the  attendance  of  absent 
members. 

35.  Upon  calls  of  the  House,  or  in  taking  the  yeas  and  nays  on 
any    question,    the    names    of   the    members    shall    be    called 
alphabetically. 

36.  Upon  the  call  of  the  House,  the  names  of  the  members 
shall  be  called  over  by  the  Clerk,  and  the  absentees  noted ;  after 
which  the  names  of  the  absentees  shall  again  be  called  over  ;  the 
doors  shall  then  be  shut,  and  those  for  whom  no  excuse  or  insuf- 
ficient excuses  are  made  may,   by  order  of  those  present,   if 
fifteen  in  number,  be  taken  into  custody  as  they  appear,  or  may 
be  sent  for  and  taken  into  custody,  wherever  to  be  found,  by 
special  messengers  to  be  appointed  for  that  purpose. 

37.  When  a  member  shall  be  discharged  from  custody,  and 
admitted  to  his  seat,  the  House  shall  determine  whether  snch 
discharge  shall  be  with  or  without  paying  fees  ;  and  in  like  man- 
ner, whether  a  delinquent  member,  taken  into  custody  by  a 
special  messenger,   shall  or  shall  not  be  liable  to  defray  the 
expenses  of  such  special  messenger. 

OX    MOTIONS,    T1IEIK   PKECEDENCE,    ETC. 

38.  When  a  motion  is  made  and  seconded,  it  shall  be  stated  by 
the  Speaker;  or,  being  in  writing,  it  shall  be  handed  to  the  chair 
and  read  aloud  by  the  Clerk,  before  debated. 

39.  Every  motion  shall  be  reduced  to  writing  if  the  Speaker  or 
any  member  desire  it.     Every  written  motion  made  to  the  Honso 
shall  be  inserted  on  the  journals,  with  the  name  of  the  member 
making  it,  unless  it  be  withdrawn  on  the  same  day  on  which  it 
was  submitted. 

40.  After  a  motion  is  stated  by  the  Speaker,  or  read  by  the 


440  EULE3   OF   THE 

Clerk,  it  shall  be  deemed  to  be  in  the  possession  of  the  House 
but  may  be  withdrawn  at  any  time  before  a  decision  or  amend 
ment. 

41.  When  any  motion  jor  proposition  is  made,  the  question, 
"  "Will  the  House  now  consider  it  ?"  shall  not  be  put  unless  it  is 
demanded  by  some   member,   or   is  deemed   necessary  by  the 
Speaker. 

42.  When   a  question  is  under  debate,  no  motion   shall   be 
received  but  to  adjourn,  to  lie  on  the  table,  for  the  previous  ques- 
tion, to  postpone  to  a  day  certain,  to  commit  or  amend,   to 
postpone  indefinitely ;   which  several  motions  shall  have  pre- 
cedence in  the  order  in  which  they  are  arranged — and  no  motion 
to  postpone  to   a  day  certain,  to  commit,  or  to  postpone  in- 
definitely, being  decided,  shall  be  again  allowed  on  the  same  day, 
and  at  the  same  stage  of  the  bill  or  proposition. 

4?..  When  a  resolution  shall  be  offered,  or  a  motion  made,  to 
refer  any  subject,  and  different  committees  shall  be  proposed,  the 
question  shall  be  taken  in  the  following  order: 

The  Committee  of  the  Whole  House  on  the  state  of  the  Union  ; 
the  Committee  of  the  Whole  House ;  a  Standing  Committee ;  a 
Select  Committee. 

44.  A  motion  to  adjourn,  and  a  motion  to  fix  the  day  to  which 
the  House  shall  adjourn,  shall  be  always  in  order — these  motions, 
and  the  motion  to  lie  on  the  table,  shall  be  decided  without 
debate. 

45.  The  hour  at  which  every  motion  to  adjourn  is  made  shall 
be  entered  on  the  journal. 

40.  Any  member  may  call  for  the  division  of  a  question,  before 
or  aftsr  the  main  question  is  ordered,  which  shall  be  divided  if  it 
comprehend  propositions  in  substance  so  distinct  that,  one  being 
taken  away,  a  substantive  proposition  shall  remain  for  the  de- 
cision of  the  House.  A  motion  to  strike  out  and  insert  shall  be 
deemed  indivisible ; — but  a  motion  to  strike  out  being  lost,  shall 
preclude  neither  amendment  nor  a  motion  to  strike  out  and 
insert. 

47.  Motions  and  reports  may  bo  committed  at  the  pleasure  of 
the  House. 

48.  No  motion  or  proposition  on  a  subject  different  from  that 
under  consideration  shall  be  admitted  under  color  of  amendment. 
No  bill  or  resolution  shall,  at  any  time,  be  amended  by  annexing 
thereto,  or  incorporating  therewith,  any  other  bill  or  resolution 
pending  before  the  House. 

49.  When  a  motion  has  been  once  made,  and  carried  in  the 
affirmative  or  negative,  it  shall  be  in  order  for  any  member  of  the 


HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES.  441 

majority  to  move  for  the  reconsideration  thereof,  on  the  same  or 
succeeding  day ;  and  such  motion  shall  take  precedence  of  all 
other  questions,  except  a  motion  to  adjourn — and  shall  not  be 
•withdrawn  after  the  said  succeeding  day  without  the  consent  of 
the  House ;  and  thereafter  any  member  may  call  it  up  for  con- 
sideration. 

50.  In  filling  up  hlanks,  the  largest  sum  and  longest  time  shall 
be  first  put. 

OEDER   OF   BUSINESS   OF   THE   DAT. 

61.  As  soon  us  the  journal  is  read,  and  the  unfinished  business 
m  which  the  House  was  engaged  at  the  last  preceding  adjourn- 
ment has  been  disposed  of,  reports  from  committees  shall  be  called 
tor  and  disposed  of;  in  doing  which  the  Speaker  shall  call  upon 
each  standing  committee  in  regular  order,  and  then  upon  select 
committees;  and  if  the  Speaker  shall  not  get  through  the  call 
upon  the  committees  before  the  House  passes  to  other  business, 
he  shall  resume  the  next  call  where  he  left  off,  giving  preference 
to  the  report  last  under  consideration:  Provided,  That  whenever 
any  committee  shall  have  occupied  the  morning  hour  on  two 
days,  it  shall  not  be  in  order  for  such  committee  to  report  further 
until  the  other  committees  shall  have  been  called  in  their  turn. 
On  the  call  for  reports  from  committees  on  each  alternate  Monday, 
which  shall  commence  as  soon  as  the  journal  is  read,  all  bills 
reported  during  the  first  hour  after  the  journal  is  read  shall  be 
committed,  without  debate,  to  the  Committee  of  the  Whole,  and 
together  with  their  accompanying  reports,  printed  ;  and  if  during 
the  hour  all  the  committees  are  not  called,  then,  on  the  next 
alternate  Monday,  the  Speaker  shall  commence  where  such  call 
was  suspended :  'Provided,  That  no  bill  reported  under  the  call 
on  alternate  Mondays,  and  committed,  shall  be  again  brought 
before  the  House  by  a  motion  to  reconsider. 

62.  Reports  from  committees  having  been  presented  and  dis- 
posed of,  the  Speaker  shall  call  for  resolutions  from  the  membera 
of  each  State  and  delegate  from  each  Territory,  beginning  with 
Maine  and  the  Territory  last  organized,  alternately ;  and  they 
shall  not  be  debated  on  the  very  day  of  their  being  presented,  not 
011  any  day  assigned  by  the  House  for  the  receipt  of  resolutions, 
unless  where  the  House  shall  direct  otherwise,  but  shall  lie  on 
the  table,  to  be  taken  up  in  the  order  in  which  they  are  presented ; 
and  if  on  any  day  the  whole  of  the  States  and  Territories  shall 
not  be  called,  the  Speaker  shall  begin  on  the  next  day  where  he 
left  off  the  previous  day  :  Provided,  That  no  member  shall  offer 
wore  than  one  resolution,  or  one  series  of  resolutions,  all  relating 


442  RULES   OF   TUB 

to  the  same  subject,  until  all  the  States  and  Territories  shall  have 
been  called. 

53.  A  proposition  requesting  information  from  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  or  directing  it  to  be  furnished  by  the  head  of 
either  of  the  executive  departments,  or  by  the  Postmaster  Gen- 
eral— shall  lie  on  the  table  one  day  for   consideration,  unless 
otherwise  ordered  by  the  unanimous  consent  of  the  House,  and 
all  such  propositions  shall  be  taken  up  for  consideration  in  the 
order  they  were  presented,  immediately  after  reports  are  called 
for  from  select  committee?,  and  when  adopted,  the  Clerk  sliail 
cause  the  same  to  be  delivered. 

54.  After  one  hour  shall  have  been  devoted  to  reports  from 
committees  and  resolutions,  it  shall  be  in  order,  pending  the  con- 
sideration or  discussion  thereof,  to  entertain  a  motion  that  tho 
House  do  now  proceed  to  dispose  of  the  business  on  the  Speaker's 
table,  and  to  the  orders  of  the  day — which  being  decided  in  the 
affirmative,  the  Speaker  shall  dispose  of  the  business  on  his  table 
in  the  following  order,  viz : 

1st.  Messages  and  other  Executive  communications. 

2d.  Messages  from  the  Senate,  and  amendments  proposed  by  the 
Senate  to  bills  of  the  House. 

8d.  Bills  and  resolutions  from  the  Senate  on  their  first  and  second 
reading,  that  they  be  referred  to  committees  and  put  under 
way ;  but  if,  on  being  read  a  second  time,  no  motion  being 
made  to  commit,  they  are  to  be  ordered  to  their  third  read- 
ing, unless  objection  be  made ;  in  which  case,  if  not  other- 
wise ordered  by  a  majority  of  the  House,  they  are  to  be  laid 
on  the  table  in  the  general  file  of  bills  on  the  Speaker's  table, 
to  be  taken  up  in  their  turn. 

4th.  Engrossed  bills  and  bills  from  the  Senate  on  their  third 
reading. 

6th.  Bills  of  the  House  and  from  the  Senate,  on  the  Speaker's 

table,  on  their  engrossment,  or  on  being  ordered  to  a  third 

reading,  to  be  taken  up  and  considered  in  the  order  of  time 

in  which  they  passed  to  a  second  reading. 

The  messages,  communicationa,  and  bills  on  his  table  having 

been  disposed  of,  the  Speaker  shall   then  proceed  to  call  the 

orders  of  the  day. 
65.  The  business  specified  in  the  54th  and  130th  rules  shall  be 

done  at  no  other  part  of  the  day,  except  by  permission  of  the 

House. 

56.  The  consideration  of  the  unfinished  business  in  which  the 

House  may  be  engaged  at  an  adjournment  shall  be  resumed  as 

soon  as  the  journal  of  the  next  day  is  read,  and  at  the  same  time 


HOUSE   OF  EEPBESKNTATIVES.  443 

each  day  thereafter  until  disposed  of;  and  if,  from  any  cause, 
other  business  shall  intervene,  it  shall  be  resumed  as  soon  as 
such  other  business  is  disposed  of.  And  the  consideration  of  all 
other  unfinished  business  shall  be  resumed  whenever  the  class  of 
business  to  which  it  belongs  shall  bo  in  order  under  the  rules. 

OF   DECORUM   AXD    DEBATE. 

57.  When  any  member  is  about  to  speak  in  debate,  or  deliver 
any  matter  to  the  House,  he  shall  rise  from  his  seat  and  respect- 
fully address  himself  to  "Mr.  Speaker  "—and  shall  confine  him- 
self to  the  question  under  debate,  and  avoid  personality. 

58.  Members  may  address  the  House  or  committee  from  the 
Clerk's  desk,  or  from  a  place  near  the  Speaker's  chair. 

59.  When  two  or  more  members  happen  to  rise  at  once,  the 
Speaker  shall  name  the  member  who  is  first  to  speak. 

CO.  No  member  shall  occupy  more  than  one  hour  in  debate 
on  any  question  in  the  House,  or  in  committee ;  but  .a  member 
reporting  the  measure  under  consideration  from  a  committee 
may  open  and  close  the  debate:  provided  that  when  debate  is 
closed  by  order  of  the  House,  any  member  shall  be  allowed,  in 
committee,  five  minutes  to  explain  any  amendment  he  may  offer, 
after  which  any  member  who  shall  first  obtain  the  floor  shall  be 
allowed  to  speak  five  minutes  in  opposition  to  it,  and  there  shaL 
be  no  further  debate  on  the  amendment;  but  the  same  privilege 
of  debate  shall  be  allowed  in  favor  of  and  against  any  amendment 
that  may  be  offered  to  the  amendment;  and  neither  the  amend- 
ment nor  an  amendment  to  the  amendment  shall  be  withdrawn 
by  the  mover  thereof,  unless  by  the  xinanimous  consent  of  the 
committee.. — Provided,  further,  That  the  House  may,  by  the  vote 
of  a  majority  of  the  members  present,  at  any  time  after  the  five 
minutes'  debate  has  taken  place  upon  proposed  amendments  to 
any  section  or  paragraph  of  a  bill,  close  all  debate  upon  such 
section  or  paragraph,  or  at  their  election  upon  the  pending 
amendments  only. 

61.  If  any  member,  in  speaking  or  otherwise,  transgress  the 
rules  of  the  House,  the  Speaker  shall,  or  any  member  may,  call  to 
order;  in  which  case,  the  member  so  called  to  order  shall  im- 
mediately sit  down,  unless  permitted  to  explain ;  and  the  House 
shall,  if  appealed  to,  decide  on  the  case,  but  without  debate;  if 
there  be  no  appeal,  the  decision  of  the  Chair  shall  be  submitted 
to.  If  the  decision  be  in  favor  of  the  member  called  to  order,  he 
shall  be  at  liberty  to  proceed;  if  otherwise,  he  shall  not  be  per- 
mitted to  proceed,  in  case  any  member  object,  without 'Uave  of  the 


444  RULES   OP   THK 

House  ;  and  if  the  case  require  it,  he  shall  be  liable  to  the  censure 
of  the  House. 

62.  If  a  member  be  called  to  order  for  words  spoken  in  debate, 
the  person  calling  him  to  order  shall  repeat  the  words  excepted 
to,  and  they  shall  be  taken  down  in  writing  at  the  Clerk's  table  ; 
and  no  member  shall  be  held  to  answer,  or  be  subject  to  the 
censure  of  the  House,  for  words  spoken  in  debate,  if  any  other 
member  has  spoken,  or  other  business  has  intervened,  after  the 
words  spoken,  and  before  exception  to  them  shall  have  been 
taken. 

63.  No  member  shall  speak  more  than  once  to  the  same  ques- 
tion without  leave  of  the  House,  unless  he  be  the  mover,  pro- 
poser, or  introducer  of  the  matter  pending;  in  which  case  he 
shall  be  permitted  to  speak  in  reply,  but  not  until  every  member 
choosing  to  speak  shall  have  spoken. 

64.  If  a  question  depending  be  lost  by  adjournment  of  the 
House,  and  revived  on  the  succeeding  day,  no  member  who  shall 
have  spoken  on  the  preceding  day  shall  be  permitted  again  to 
speak  without  leave. 

65.  While  the  Speaker  is  putting  any  question,  or  addressing 
the  House,  none  shall  walk  out  of  or  across  the  House ;  nor  in 
such  case,  or  when  a  member  is  speaking,  shall  entertain  private 
discourse;  nor  while  a  member  is  speaking,  shall   pass  between 
him   and   the   Chair.     Every  menibt-r   shall   remain   uncovered 
during  the  session  of  the  House.     No  member  or  other  person 
shall  visit  or  remain  by  the  Clerk's  table  while  the  ayes  and  noes 
are  calling,  or  ballots  are  counting. 

66.  All  questions  relating  to  the  priority  of  business  to  be  acted 
on  shall  be  decided  without  debate. 

OF   COMMITTEES. 

67.  All  committees  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Speaker,  unless 
otherwise  specially  directed  by  the  House,  in  which  case  they 
shall  be  appointed  by  ballot;  and  if  upon  such  ballot  the  num- 
ber required  shall  not  be  elected  by  a  majority  of  the  votes 
given  the  House  shal]  proceed  to  a  second  ballot,  in  which  a 
plurality  of  votes  shall  prevail ;  and  in  case  a  greater  number  than 
is  required  to  compose  or  complete  a  committee  shall  have  an 
equal  number  of  votes,  the  House  shall  proceed  to  a  further  ballot 
or  ballots. 

68.  The  first  named  member  of  any  committee  shall  be  the 
chairman ;  and  in  his  absence,  or  being  excused  by  the  House, 
the  next  named  member,  and  so  on,  as  often  as  the  case  shall 


HOUSE   OF   RKFRESENTATIVES.  445 

happen,  unless  the  committee,  by  a  majority  of  their  number, 
elect  a  chairman. 

69.  Any  member  may  excuse   himself  from  serving  on  any 
committee  at  the  time  of  his  appointment,  if  he  is  then  a  mem- 
ber of  two  other  committees. 

70.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  a  committee  to  meet  on  the  call  of 
any  two  of  its  members,  if  the  chairman  be  absent,  or  decline  to 
appoint  such  meeting. 

VI.  The  several  standing  committees  of  the  House  shall  have 
leave  to  report  by  bill  or  otherwise. 

72.  No  committee  shall  sit  during  the  sitting  of  the  House 
without  special  leave. 

73.  No  committee  shall  be  permitted  to  employ  a  clerk  at  the 
public  expense,  without  first  obtaining  leave  of  the  House  for 
that  purpose. 

74.  Thirty-one  standing  committees  shall  be  appointed  at  the 
commencement  of  each  Congress,  viz  : 

TO  CONSIST   OP  NIXE  MEMBERS  EiCH. 

A  Committee  of  Elections.— Nov.  13, 1789. 
A  Committee  of  Ways  and  Means. — Jan.  7,  1802. 
A  Committee  on  Appropriations. — March  2,  18t>5. 
A  Committee  on  Banking  and  Currency. — March  2,  1865. 
A  Committee  on  the  Pacific  Railroad. — March  2,  1865. 
A  Committee  on  Claims. — Nov.  13,  1794. 
.  A  Committee  on  Commerce.— Dec.  14,  1795. 
A  Committee  on  Public  Lands. — Dec.  17,  1805. 
A  Committee  on  the  Post  Office  and  Post  Roads.— .Wow.  9,  1808. 
A  Committee  for  the  District  of  Columbia.  -Jan.  27,  1808. 
A  Committee  on  the  Judiciary — June  3, 1813. 
A  Committee  on  Revolutionary  Claims. — Dec.  22, 1813. 
A  Committee  on  Public  Expenditures.— Feb.  26,  1814. 
A  Committee  on  Private  Land  Claims.—  April  29,  1816. 
A  Committee  on  Manufactures. — Dec.  8,  1819. 
A  Committee  on  Agriculture.— May  3,  182o. 
A  Committee  on  Indian  Affairs.— Dtc.  18,  1821. 
A  Committee  on  Military  Affairs.— March  13,  1822. 
A  Committee  on  Militia. — Dec.  10,  1835. 
A  Committee  on  Naval  Affairs. — March  13,  1822. 
A  Committee  on  Foreign  Affairs.— March  13.  1822. 
A  Committee  on  the  Territories.— Dec.  13,  1825. 
A  Committee  on  Revolutionary  Pensions.— Dec.  9, 1825. 
A  Committee  on  Invalid  Pensions. — Jan.  10,  1831. 
A  Committee  on  Roads  and  Canals  —Dec.  15, 1831. 
A  Committee  on  Patents Sept.  15,  1837. 


446  EULK8   OF   THE 


TO  CONSIST  OP  FIVE   MEMBERS  EACH. 

A  Committee  on  Public  Buildings  and  Grounds. — Sept.  15,  1337. 

A  Committee  of  Revisal  and  unfinished  business Dec.  14.  1795. 

A  Committee  of  Accounts — Nov.  7,  1804. 
A  Committee  on  Mileage.— Sept.  15, 1837. 
A  Committee  on  Coinage,  Weights,  and  Measure*. — Jan.  21, 18C4. 

75.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  of  Elections  to 
examine  and   report  upon  the  certificates  of  election,  or  other 
credentials,  of  the  members  returned  to  serve  in  this  House,  and 
to  take  into  their  consideration  all  such  petitions  and  other  mat- 
ters touching  elections  and  returns  as  shall  or  may  be  presented 
or  come  into  question,  and  be  referred  to  them  by  the  House. 

76.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  Appropriations  to 
take  into  consideration  all  executive  communications  and  such 
other  propositions  in  regard  to  carrying  on  the  several  depart- 
ments of  the  government  as  may  be  presented  and  referred  to 
them  by  the  House. 

In  preparing  bills  of  appropriations  for  other  objects,  the  Com- 
mittee on  Appropriations  shall  not  include  appropriations  for 
carrying  into  effect  treaties  made  by  the  United  States;  and 
where  an  appropriation  bill  shall  be  referred  to  them  for  their 
consideration,  which  contains  appropriations  for  carrying  a  treaty 
into  effect,  and  for  other  objects,  they  shall  propose  such  amend- 
ments as  shall  prevent  appropriations  for  carrying  a  treaty  into 
effect  being  included  in  tho  same  bill  with  appropriations  for 
other  objects. 

77.  It  shall  also  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  Appropri- 
ations,  within   thirty  days  after  their  appointment,   at  every 
session  of  Congress,  commencing  on  the  first  Monday  of  Decem- 
ber, to  report  the  general  appropriation  bills  for  legislative,  ex- 
ecutive, and  judicial  expenses;    for  sundry  civil  expenses;    for 
consular  and  diplomatic  expenses  ;  for  the  army ;  for  the  navy  ; 
for  the  expenses  of  the  Indian  department ;  for  the  payment  of 
invalid   and   other  pensions ;    for  the  support   of  the   Military 
Academy;  for  fortifications;  for  the  service  of  the  Post  Oilice 
Department,  and  for  mail  transportation  by  ocean  steamers ;  or, 
in  failure  thereof,  the  reasons  of  such  failure.     And  said  com- 
mittee shall  have  leave  to  report  said  bills  (for  reference  only)  at 
any  time. 

78.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  of  Claim;!  to  take 
into  consideration  all  such  petitions  and  matters  or  things  touch- 
ing claims  and  demands  on  the  United  States  as  shall  be  pre- 
sented, or  shall  or  may  come  in  question,  and  bo  referred  to  them 


HOUSE   OF   EEPEESENTATTVES.  447 

by  the  House ;  and  to  report  their  opinion  thereupon,  together 
with  such  propositions  for  relief  therein  as  to  them  shall  seem 
expedient. 

79.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  Commerce  to  take 
into  consideration  all  such  petitions  and  matters  or  things  touch- 
ing the  commerce  of  the  United  States  as  shall  be  presented,  or 
shall  or  may  come  into  question,  and  be  referred  to  them  by  the 
House ;  and  to  report,  from  time  to  time,  their  opinion  thereon. 

80.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  the  Public  Lands  to 
take  into  consideration  all  such  petitions  and  matters  or  things 
respecting  the  lands  of  the  United  States  as  shall  be  presented,  or 
shall  or  may  come  in  question,  and  be  referred  to  them  by  the 
House  ;  and  to  report  their  opinion  thereon,  together  with  such 
propositions  for  relief  therein  as  to  them  shall  seem  expedient. 

81.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  the  Post  Office 
and  Post  Eoads  to  take  into  consideration  all  such  petitions  and 
matters  or  things  touching  the  post  office  and  post  roads  as  shall 
be  presented,  or  shall  come  in  question,  and  be  referred  to  them 
by  the  House ;  and  to  report  their  opinion  thereon,  together  with 
such  propositions  relative  thereto  as  to  them  shall  seem  expedient. 

82.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  for  the  District  of 
Columbia  to  take  into  consideration  all  such  petitions  and  matters 
or  things  touching  the  said  District  as  shall  be  presented  or  shall 
come  in  question,  and  be  referred  to  them  by  the  House ;  and  to 
report  their  opinion  thereon,   together  with  such  propositions 
relative  thereto  as  to  them  shall  seem  expedient. 

83.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  the  Judiciary  to 
take  into  consideration  such  petitions  and  matters  or  things 
touching  judicial  proceedings  as  shall  be  presented,  or  may  come 
in  question,  and  be  referred  to  them  by  the  House;  and  to  report 
their  opinion  thereon,  together  with  such  propositions  relative 
thereto  as  to  them  shall  seem  expedient. 

84.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  Revolutionary 
Claims  to  take  into  consideration  all  such  petitions  and  matters 
or  things  touching  claims  and  demands  originating  in  the  revolu- 
tionary war,  or  arising  therefrom,  as  shall  be  presented,  or  shall 
or  may  come  in  question,  and  be  referred  to  them  by  the  House ; 
and  to  report  their  opinion  thereupon,  together  with  such  propo- 
sitions for  relief  therein  as  to  them  shall  seem  expedient. 

85.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  Public  Expen- 
ditures to  examine  into  the  state  of  the  several  public  depart- 
ments,   and    particularly  into    laws  making    appropriations   of 
money,  and  to  report  whether  the  moneys  have  been  disbursed 
conformably  with  such  laws;  and  also  to  report  from  time  to 


448  EULES  OF  THE 

time  such  provisions  and  arrangements  as  may  be  necessary  to 
add  to  the  economy  of  the  departments,  and  the  accountability  of 
their  officers. 

86.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  Private  Land 
Claims  to  take  into  consideration  all  claims  to  laud  which  may 
be  referred  to  them,  or  shall  or  may  come  in  question ;  and  to 
report  their  opinion  thereupon,  together  with  such  propositions 
for  relief  therein  as  to  them  shall  seem  expedient. 

87.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  Military  Affairs 
to  take  into  consideration  all  subjects  relating  to  the  military 
establishment  and  public  defence  which  may  be  referred  to  them 
by  the  House,  and  to  report  their  opinion  thereupon ;  and  also 
to  report,  from  time  to  time,  such  measures  as  may  contribute  to 
economy  and  accountability  in  the  said  establishment. 

88.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  the  Militia  to 
take  into  consideration  and  report  on  all  subjects  connected  with 
the  organizing,  arming,  and  disciplining  the  militia  of  the  United 
States. 

89.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  Naval  Affairs  to 
take  into  consideration  all  matters  which  concern  the  naval 
establishment,  and  which  shall  be  referred  to  them  by  the  House, 
and  to  report  their  opinion  thereupon ;  and  also  to  report,  from 
time  to  time,  such  measures  as  may  contribute  to  economy  and 
accountability  in  the  said  establishment. 

90.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Affairs 
to  take  into  consideration  all  matters  which  concern  the  relations 
of  the  United  States  with  foreign  nations,  and  which  shall  be 
referred  to  them  by  the  House,  and  to  report  their  opinion  on 
the  same. 

91.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  the  Territories 
to  examine  into  the  legislative,  civil,  and  criminal  proceedings  of 
the  Territories,  and  to  devise  and  report  to  the  House  such  means 
as,  in  their  opinion,  may  be  necessary  to  secure  the  rights  and 
privileges  of  residents  and  non-residents. 

92.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  Eevolutionary 
Pensions  to  take  into  consideration  all  such  matters  respecting 
pensions  for  services  in  the  revolutionary  war,  other  than  invalid 
pensions,  as  shall  be  referred  to  them  by  the  House. 

93.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  Invalid  Pensions 
to  take  into  consideration  all  such  matters  respecting  invalid  pen- 
sions as  shall  be  referred  to  them  by  the  House. 

94.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  Koads  and  Canals 
to  take  into  consideration  all  such  petitions  and  matters  or  things 
relating  to  roads  and  canals,  and  the  improvement  of  the  naviga- 


HOU8E   OF   REPRESENTATIVES.  449 

tion  of  rivers,  as  shall  be  presented,  or  may  come  in  question,  and 
be  referred  to  them  by  the  House ;  and  to  report  thereupon, 
together  with  such  propositions  relative  thereto  as  to  them  shall 
seem  expedient. 

95.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  Patents  to  con- 
sider all  subjects  relating  to  patents  which  may  be  referred  to 
them  ;  and  report  their  opinion  thereon,  together  with  such  pro- 
positions relative  thereto  as  may  seem  to  them  expedient. 

96.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  Public  Buildings 
and  Grounds  to  consider  all  subjects  relating  to  the  public  edifices 
and  grounds  within  the  city  of  Washington  which  may  be  referred 
to  them ;  and  report  their  opinion  thereon,  together  with  such 
propositions  relating  thereto  as  may  seem  to  them  expedient. 

97.  It   shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  of  Pvevisai   and 
Unfinished  Business  to   examine   and  report  what  laws   have 
expired,  or  are  near  expiring,  and  require  to  be  revived  or  further 
continued ;  also  to  examine  and  report,  from  the  Journal  of  last 
session,  all  such  matters  as  were  then  depending  and  undeter- 
mined. 

98.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  of  Accounts  to  super- 
intend and  control  the  expenditures  of  the  contingent  fund  of  the 
House  of  Representatives ;  also  to  audit  and  settle  all  accounts 
which  may  be  charged  thereon. 

99.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  Mileage  to  ascer- 
tain and  report  the  distance  to  the  Sergeant-at-Arms  for  which 
each  member  shall  receive  pay. 

100.  There  shall  be  referred,  ly  the  Cleric  to  the  members  of 
the  Committee  on  Printing  on  the  part  of  the  House,  all  drawings, 
maps,  charts,  or  other  papers,  which  may  at  any  time  come  before 
the  House  for  engraving,  lithographing,   or  publishing  in  any 
way ;  which  committee  shall  report  to  the  House  whether  the 
same  ought,  in  their  opinion,  to  be  published ;  and  if  the  House 
order  the  publication  of  the  same,  that  said  committee  shall  direct 
the  size  and  manner  of  execution  of  all  such  maps,  charts,  draw- 
ings, or  other  papers,  and  contract  by  agreement,  in  writing,  for 
all  such  engraving,  lithographing,  printing,  drawing,  and  color- 
ing,  as  may  be  ordered  by  the  House ;    which  agreement,  in 
writing,  shall  be  furnished  by  said  committee  to  the  Committee 
of  Accounts,  to  govern  said  committee  in  all  allowances  for  such 
works,  and  it  shall  be  in  order  for  said  committee  to  report  at  all 


101.  It  shall  be  in  order  for  the  Committee  on  Enrolled  Bills 
and  the  Committee  on  Printing  to  report  at  any  time. 

102.  Seven  additional  standing  committees  shall  be  appointed 


i50  ETJLE3   OF   THE 

nt  the  commencement  of  the  first  session  in  each  Congress,  whose 
duties  shall  continue  uutil  the  first  session  of  the  ensuing 
Congress. 

COMMITTEES,    TO    CONSIST   OF   FIVE    MEMBERS    EACH. 

1.  A  committee  on  so  much  of  the  public  accoiiuts  and  expen- 
ditures as  relates  to  the  Department  of  State  ; 

2.  A  committee  on  so  much  of  the  public  accounts  and  expen- 
ditures as  relates  to  the  Treasury  Department ; 

8.  A  committee  on  so  much  of  the  public  accounts  and  expendi- 
tures as  relates  to  the  Department  of  War  ; 

4.  A  committee  on  so  much  of  the  public  accounts  and  expendi- 
tures-tts  relates  to  the  Department  of  the  Navy  ; 

6.  A  committee  on  so  much  of  the  public  accounts. and  expendi- 
tures as  relates  to  the  Post  Office ; 

6.  A  committee  on  so  much  of  the  public  accounts  and  expendi- 
tures as  relates  to  the  Public  Buildings ;  and 

7.  A  committee  on  so  much  of  the  public  accounts  and  expendi- 
tures as  relates  to  the  Interior  Department. 

103.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  tlie  said  committees  to  examine 
into  the  state  of  the  accounts  and  expenditures  respectively  sub- 
mitted to  them,  and  to  inquire  and  report  particularly' — 

Whether  the  expenditures  of  the  respective  departments  are 
iustified  by  law ; 

Whether  the  claims  from  time  to  time  satisfied  and  discharged 
by  the  respective  departments  are  supported  by  sufficient  vouch- 
ers, establishing  their  justness  both  as  to  their  character  and 
amount ; 

Whether  such  claims  have  been  discharged  out  of  funds  appro- 
priated therefor,  and  whether  all  moneys  have  been  disbursed  in 
conformity  with  appropriation  laws;  and 

Whether  any,  and  what,  provisions  are  necessary  to  be  adopted, 
to  provide  more  perfectly  for  the  proper  application  of  the  public 
moneys,  and  to  secure  the  government  from  demands  unjust  in 
their  character  or  extravagant  in  their  amount. 

And  it  shall  be,  moreover,  the  duty  of  the  said  committees  to 
report,  from  time  to  time,  whether  any,  and  what,  retrenchment 
can  be  made  in  the  expenditures  of  the  several  departments,  with- 
out detriment  to  the  public  service ;  whether  any,  and  what, 
abuses  at  any  time  exist  in  the  failure  to  enforce  the  payment  of 
moneys  which  may  be  due  to  the  United  States  from  public 
defaulters  or  others ;  and  to  report,  from  time  -to  time,  such  pro- 


HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES.  4:51 

visions  and  arrangements  as  may  be  necessary  to  add  to  the 
economy  of  the  several  departments  and  the  accountability  of 
their  officers. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  several  committees  on  public 
expenditures  to  inquire  whether  any  offices  belonging  to  the 
branches  or  departments,  respectively,  concerning  whose  expendi- 
tures it  is  their  duty  to  inquire,  have  become  useless  or  unneces- 
sary ;  and  to  report,  from  time  to  time,  on  the  expediency  of 
modifying  or  abolishing  the  same  ;  also,  to  examine  into  the  pay 
and  emoluments  of  all  offices  under  the  laws  of  the  United  States ; 
and  to  report,  from  time  to  time,  such  a  reduction  or  increase 
thereof  as  a  just  economy  and  the  public  service  may  require. 

OF    COMMITTEES   OF   THE   WHOLE. 

104.  The  House  may  at  any  time,  by  a  vote  of  a  majority  of 
the  members  present,  suspend  the  rules  and  orders  for  the  purpose 
of  going  into  the  Committee  of  the  Whole  House  on  the  state  of 
the  Union  ;  and  also  for  providing  for  the  discharge  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  Whole  House,  and  the  Committee  of  the  Whole 
House  on  the  state  of  the  Union  ;  from  the  further  consideration 
of  any  bill  referred  to  it,  after  acting  without  debate  on  all  amend- 
ments pending  and  that  may  be  offered. 

105.  In  forming  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House,  the  Speaker 
shall  leave  his  chair,  and  a  chairman,  to  preside  in  committee, 
shall  be  appointed  by  the  Speaker. 

106.  Whenever  the  Committee  of  the  Whole  on  the  state  of  the 
Union,  or  the  Committee  of  the  Whole  House,  finds  itself  without 
a  quorum,  the  chairman  shall  cause  the  roll  of  the  House  to  be 
called,  and  thereupon  the  committee  shall  rise,  and  the  chairman 
shall  report  the  name  of  the  absentees  to  the  House,  which  shall 
be  entered  on  the  journal. 

107.  Upon  bills  committed  to  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House, 
the  bill  shall  be  first  read  throughout  by  the  Clerk,  and  then 
again  read  and  debated  by  clauses,  leaving  the  preamble  to  be 
last  considered  ;  the  body  of  the  bill  shall  not  be  defaced  or  inter- 
lined ;  but  all  amendments,  noting  the  page  and  line,  shall  be 
duly  entered  by  the  Clerk  on  a  separate  paper,  as  the  same  shall 
be  agreed  to  by  the  committee,  and  so  reported  to  the  House. 
After  report,  the  bill  shall  again  be  subject  to  be  debated  and 
amended  by  clauses,  before  a  question  to  engross  it  be  taken. 

108.  All  amendments  made  to  an  original  motion  in  committee 
shall  be  incorporated  with  the  motion,  and  so  reported. 

109.  All  amendments  made  to  a  report  committed  to  a  Com- 


452  RULES   OF   TUB 

mittee  of  the  Whole  House  shall  be  noted,  and  reported,  as  in  the 
case  of  bills. 

110.  No  motion  or  proposition  for  a  tax  or  charge  upon  the 
people  shall  be  discussed  the  day  on  which  it  is  made  or  offered, 
and  every  such  proposition  shall  receive  its  first  discussion  in  a 
Committee  of  the  Whole  House. 

111.  No  sum  or  quantum  of  tax  or  duty,  voted  by  a  Committee 
of  the  Whole  House,  shall  be  increased  in  the  House  until  the 
motion  or  proposition  for  such  increase  shall  be  first  discussed  and 
voted  in  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House  ;  and  so  in  respect  to 
the  time  of  its  continuance. 

112.  All  proceedings  touching  appropriations  of  money  shall  be 
first  discussed  in  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House. 

113.  The  rules  of  proceedings  in  the  House  shall  be  observed  in 
a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House,  so  far  as  they  may  be  applica- 
ble, except  the  rule  limiting  the  times  of  speaking ;  but  no  mem- 
ber shall  speak  twice  to  any  question  until  every  member  choos- 
ing to  speak  shall  have  spoken. 

114.  In  Committee  of  the  Whole  on  the  state  of  the  Union,  the 
bills  shall  be  taken  up  and  disposed  of  in  their  order  on  the  calen- 
dar ;  but  when  objection  is  made  to  the  consideration  of  a  bill,  a 
majority  of  the  committee  shall  decide,  without  debate,  whether 
it  shall  be  taken  up  and  disposed  of,  or  laid  aside  :  provided,  that 
general  appropriation  bills,  and,  in  time  of  war,  bills  for  raising 
men  or  money,  and  bills  concerning  a  treaty  of  peace,  shall  be 
preferred  to  all  other  bills,  at  the  discretion  of  the  committee ; 
and  when  demanded  by  any  member,  the  question  shall  first  be 
put  in  regard  to  them  ;  and  all  debate  on  special  orders  shall  be 
confined  strictly  to  the  measure  under  consideration. 


115.  Every  bill  shall  be  introduced  on  the  report  of  a  commit- 
tee, or  by  motion  for  leave.     In  the  latter  case,  at  least  one  day's 
notice  shall  be  given  of  the  motion  in  the  House,  or  by  filing  a 
memorandum  thereof  with  the  Clerk,  and  having  it  entered  on 
the  journal;  and  the  motion  shall  be  made,  and  the  bill  intro- 
duced, if  leave  is  given,  when  resolutions  are  called  for ;  such 
motion,  or  the  bill  when  introduced,  may  be  committed. 

116.  Every  bill  shall  receive  three  several   readings  in  tho 
House  previous  to  its  passage ;  and  bills  shall  be  despatched  in 
order  as  they  were  introduced,  unless  where  the  IJouso  shall 
direct  otherwise  ;  but  no  bill  shall  be  twice  read  on  the  same  day, 
without  special  order  of  the  House. 


HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES.  453 

117.  The  first  reading  of  a  bill  shall  be  for  information,  and, 
if  opposition  be  made  to  it,  the  question  shall  be,  u  Shall  this  bill 
be  rejected  ?"     If  no  opposition  be  made,  or  if  the  question  to 
reject  be  negatived,  the  bill  shall  go  to  its  second  reading  without 
a  question. 

118.  Upon  the  second  reading  of  a  bill,  the  Speaker  shall  state 
it  as  ready  for  commitment  or  engrossment ;  and,  if  committed, 
then  a  question  shall  be,  whether  to  a  select  or  standing  commit- 
tee, or  to  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House ;  it  to  a  Committee  of 
the  Whole  House,  the  House  shall  determine  on  what  day ;  if  no 
motion  be  made  to  commit,  the  question  shall  be  stated  on  its 
engrossment ;  and  if  it  be  not  ordered  to  be  engrossed  on  the  day 
of  its  being  reported,  it  shall  be  placed  on  the  "general  file  on  the 
Speaker's  table,  to  be  taken  up  in  order.     But  if  the   bill   be 
ordered  to  be  engrossed,  the  House  shall  appoint  the  day  when  it 
shall  be  read  the  third  time. 

119.  General  appropriation  bills  shall  be  in  order  in  preference 
to  any  other  bills  of  a  public  nature  unless  otherwise  ordered  by 
a  majority  of  the  House. 

And  the  House  may,  at  any  time,  by  a  vote  of  a  majority  of  the 
members  present,  make  any  of  the  general  appropriation  bills  a 
special  order. 

120.  No  appropriation  shall  be  reported  in  such  general  appro- 
priation bills,  or  be  in  order  as  an  amendment  thereto,  for  any 
expenditure  not  previously  authorized  by  law,  unless  in  continu- 
ation of  appropriations  for  such  public  works  and  objects  as  are 
already  in  progress,  and  for  the  contingencies  for  carrying  on  the 
several  departments  of  the  government. 

121.  Upon  the  engrossment  of  any  bill  making  appropriations 
of  money  for  works  of  internal   improvement  of  any  kind  or 
description,  it  shall  be  in  the  power  of  any  member  to  call  for  a 
division  of  the  question,  so  as  to  take  a  separate  vote  of  the 
House  upon  each  item  of  improvement  or  appropriation  contained 
in  said  bill,  or  upon  such  items  separately,  and  others  collectively, 
as  the  members  making  the  call  may  specify  ;  and  if  one-fifth  of 
the  members  present  second  said  call,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
Speaker  to  make  such  divisions  of  the  question,  and  put  them  to 
vote  accordingly. 

122.  The  bills  from  the  Court  of  Claims  shall,  on  being  laid 
before  the  House,  be  read  a  first  and  second  time,  committed  to 
a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House,  and,  together  with  the  accom- 
panying reports,  printed.. 

123.  A  motion  to  strike  out  the  enacting  words  of  a  bill  shall 
have  precedence  of  a  motion  to  amend ;  and,  if  carried,  shall  ba 


454:  EULES   OF   THE 

considered  equivalent  to  its  rejection.  Whenever  a  bill  is  reported 
from  a  Committee  of  the  Whole,  with  a  recommendation  to  strike 
out  the  enacting  words,  and  such  recommendation  is  disagreed  to 
by  the  House,  the  bill  shall  stand  recommitted  to  the  said  com- 
mittee without  further  action  by  the  House. 

124.  After  commitment  and  report  thereof  to  tbe  House,  or  at 
any  time  before   its  passage,  a    bill   may  be  recommitted;  and 
should  such  recommitment  take  place  alter  its  engrossment,  and 
an  amendment  be  reported  and   agreed   to   by  the  House,  the 
question  shall  be  again  put  on  the  engrossment  of  the  bill. 

125.  All  bills  ordered  to  be  engrossed  shall  be  executed  in  a 
fair  round  hand. 

126.  No  amendment  by  way  of  rider  shall  be  received  to  any 
bill  on  its  third  reading. 

127.  When  a  bill  shall  pass,  it  shall  be  certified  by  the  Clerk, 
noting  the  day  of  its  passage  at  the  foot  thereof. 

LOCAL  -OB    PEIVATE    BUSINESS. 

128.  Friday  and  Saturday  in  every  week  shall  be  set  apart  for 
the  consideration  of  private  bills  and  private  business,  in  prefer- 
ence to  any  other,  unless  otherwise  determined  by  a  majority  of 
the  House. 

12!).  On  the  first  and  fourth  Friday  and  Saturday  of  each  month 
the  calendar  of  private  bills  shall  be  called  over,  (the  chairman  of 
the  Committee  of  the  Whole  House  commencing  the  cull  where 
he  left  off  the  previous  day.)  and  the  bills  to  the  passage  of  which 
no  objection  shall  then  be  made  shall  be  first  considered  and  dis- 
posed of.  But  when  a  bill  is  again  reached,  after  having  been 
once  objected  to,  the  committee  shall  consider  and  dispose  of  the 
same,  unless  it  shall  again  be  objected  to  by  at  least  five 
members. 

OF   BILLS   ON   LEAVE   AND   RESOLUTIONS. 

130.  All  the  States  and  Territories  shall  be  called  for  bills  on 
leave  and  resolutions  on  each  alternate  Monday  during  each  ses- 
sion of  Congress ;  and,  if  necessary  to  secure  the  object  on  said 
days,  all  resolutions  which  shall  give  rise  to  debate  shall  lie  over 
for  discussion,  under  the  rules  of  the  House  already  established; 
and  the  whole  of  said  days  shall  be  appropriated  to  bills  on  leave 
and  resolutions,  until  all  the  States  and  Territories  are  called 
through.  And  the  Speaker  shall  first  call  the  States  and  Terri- 
tories for  bills  on  leave ;  and  all  bills  so  introduced  during  the 
first  hour  alter  the  journal  is  read  shall  be  referred,  without 


HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES.  455 

debate,  to  their  appropriate  committees:  Provided,  "however, 
That  a  bill  so  introduced  and  referred  shall  not  be  brought  back 
into  the  House  upon  a  motion  to  reconsider. 

OF   PETITIONS   AND   MEMORIALS. 

181.  Members  having  petitions  and  memorials  to  present,  may 
hand  them  to  the  Clerk,  indorsing  the  same  with  their  names,  and 
the  reference  or  disposition  to  be  made  thereof;  and  such  petitions 
and  memorials  shall  be  entered  on  the  journal,  subject  to  the  con- 
trol and  direction  of  the  Speaker;  and  if  any  petition  or  memorial 
be  so  handed  in,  which,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Speaker,  is  exclu- 
ded by  the  rules,  the  same  shall  be  returned  to  the  member  from 
whom  it  was  received. 

OF   THE   PREVIOUS   QUESTION. 

132.  The  previous  question  shall  be  in  this  form  :  "  Shall  the 
main  question  be  now  put?"    It  shall  only  be  admitted  when 
demanded  by  a  majority  of  the  members  present ;  and  its  effects 
shall  be  to  put  an  end  to  all  debate,  and  to  bring  the  House  to  a 
direct  vote  upon  a  motion  to  commit,  if  such  motion  shall  hava 
been  made;  and  if  this  motion   does   not  prevail,    then  upon 
amendments  reported  by  a  committee,  if  any ;  then  upon  pending 
amendments,  and  then  upon  the   main  question.     But  its  only 
effect,  if  a  motion  to  postpone  is  pending,  shall  be  to  bring  the 
House  to  a  vote  upon  such  motion.     Whenever  the  House  shall 
refuse  to  order  the  main  question,  the  consideration  of  the  subject 
shall  be  resumed  as  though  no  motion  for  the  previous  question 
had  been  made.     The  House  may  also,  at  any  time,  on  motion 
seconded  by  a  majority  of  the  members  present,  close  all  debate 
upon  a  pending  amendment,  or  an  amendment  thereto,  and  cause 
the  question  to  be  put  thereon ;  and  this  shall  not  preclude  any 
further  amendment  or  debate  upon  the  bill.     A  call  of  the  House 
shall  not  be  in  order  after  the  previous  question  is  seconded, 
unless  it  shall  appear,  upon  an  actual  count  by  the  Speaker,  that 
no  quorum  is  present. 

133.  On  a.  previous  question   there  shall  be   no  debate.     AH 
incidental  questions  of  order  arising  after  a  motion,  is  made  for 
the  previous  question  and  pending  such  motion,  shall  be  decided, 
whether  on  appeal  or  otherwise,  without  debate. 


4:56  RULES    OF   THE 


OF   ADMISSION    OX   THE   FLOOR. 

134.  No  person  except  members  of  the  Senate,  tlieir  secretary, 
heads  of  departments,  the  President's  private  secretary,  foreign 
ministers,  the  governor  for  the  time  being  of  any  State,  senators 
and  representatives  elect,  and  judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
United  States  and  of  the  Court  of  Claims,  shall  be  admitted  within 
the  Hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives.  Or  any  of  the  rooms 
upon  the  same  floor  or  leading  into  the  same. 


OF   KEPOIJTEKS. 

135.  Stenographers  and  reporters,  other  than  the  official 
reporters  of  the  House,  wishing  to  take  down  the  debates,  may 
be  admitted  by  the  Speaker  to  the  reporters'  gallery  over  the 
Speaker's  chair,  but  not  on  the  floor  of  the  House ;  but  no  person 
Bhall  be  allowed  the  privilege  of  said  gallery  under  the  character 
of  stenographer  or  reporter  without  a  written  permission  of  the 
Speaker,  specifying  the  part  of  said  gallery  assigned  to  him ;  nor 
shall  said  stenographer  or  reporter  be  admitted  to  said  gallery 
unless  he  shall  state  in  writing  for  what  paper  or  papers  he  is 
employed  to  report;  nor  shall  he  be  so  admitted,  or,  if  admitted, 
be  suffered  to  retain  his  seat,  if  he  shall  be  or  become  an  agent  to 
prosecute  any  claim  pending  before  Congress;  and  the  Speaker 
shall  give  his  written  permission  with  this  condition. 


UNFINISHED   BUSINESS   OF  THE    SESSION. 

136.  After  six  days  from  the  commencement  of  a  second  or 
subsequent  session  of  any  Congress,  all  bills,  resolutions,  and  re- 
ports which  originated  in"  the  House,  and  at  the  close  of  the  next 
preceding  session  remained  undetermined,  shall  be  resumed  and 
acted  on  in  the  same  manner  as  if  an  adjournment  had  not  taken 
place.     And  all  business  before  committees  of  the  House  at  the 
end  of  one  session  shall  be  resumed  at  the  commencement  of  the 
next  session  of  the  same  Congress  as  if  no  adjournment  had  taken 
place. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

137.  Whenever  confidential  communications  are  received  froia 
Ihe  President  of  the  United  States,  the  House  shall  be  cleared  of 


HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES.  457 

all  persons,  except  the  members,  Clerk,  Sergeant-at-arms,  and 
Doorkeeper,  and  so  continue  during  the  reading  of  such  commu- 
nications, and  (unless  otherwise  directed  by  the  House)  during  all 
debates  and  proceedings  to  be  had  thereon.  And  when  the 
Speaker,  or  any  other  member,  shall  inform  the  House  that  he 
has  communications  to  make  which  he  conceives  ought  to  be  kept 
secret,  the  House  shall,  in  like  manner,  be  cleared  till  the  com- 
munication be  made ;  the  House  shall  then  determine  whether 
the  matter  communicated  requires  secrecy  or  not,  and  take  order 
accordingly. 

138.  The  rule  for  paying  witnesses  summoned  to  appear  before 
this  House,  or  either  of  its  committees,  shall  be  as  follows  :    For 
each  day  a  witness  shall  attend,  the  sum  of  two  dollars  ;  for  each 
mile  he  shall  travel  in  coming  to  or  going  from  the  place  of  ex- 
amination, the  sum  of  ten  cents  each  way;  but  nothing  shall  be 
paid  for  travelling  home  when  the  witness  has  been  summoned 
at  the  place  of  trial. 

139.  Maps  accompanying  documents  shall  not  be  printed,  under 
the  general  order  to  print,  without  the  special  direction  of  the 
House. 

140.  No  extra  compensation  shall  be  allowed  to  any  officer  or 
messenger,  page,  laborer,  or  other  person  in  the  service  of  the 
House,  or  engaged  in  or  about  the  public  grounds  or  buildings; 
and  no  person  shall  be  an  officer  of  the  House,  or  continue  in  its 
employment,  who  shall  be  an  agent  for  the  prosecution  of  any 
claim  against  the  government,  or  be  interested  in.  such  claim 
otherwise  than  an  original  claimant ;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  Committee  of  Accounts  to  inquire  into  and  report  to  the 
House  any  violation  of  this  rule. 

141.  When  the  reading  of  a  paper  is  called  for,  and  the  same  is 
objected  to  by  any  member,  it  shall  be  determined  by  a  vote  of 
the  House. 

142.  When  a  question  is  postponed  indefinitely,  the  same  shall 
not  be  acted  upon  again  during  the  session. 

143.  Every  order,  resolution,  or  vote,  to  which  the  concur- 
rence of  the  Senate  shall  be  necessary,  shall  be  read  to  the  House, 
and  laid  on  the  table,  on  a  day  preceding  that  in  which  the  same 
shall  be  moved,  unless  the    House  shall    otherwise  expressly 
allow. 

144.  The  rules  of  parliamentary  practice,  comprised  in  Jeffer- 
son's Manual,  shall  govern  the  House  in  all  cases  to  which  they 
are  applicable,  and  in  which  they  are  not  inconsistent  with  the 
standing  rules  and  orders  of  the  House,  and  joint  rules  of  the 
Senate  and  House  of  Representatives. 


458  KULES   OF  THE 

145.  No  standing  rule  or  order  of  the  House  shall  be  rescinded 
or  changed  without  one  day's  notice  being  given  of  the  motion 
therefor ;  nor  shall  any  rule  be  suspended,  except  by  a  vote  of  at 
least  two-thirds  of  the  members  present ;  nor  shall  the  order  of 
business,  as  established  by  the  rules,  be  postponed  or  changed, 
except  by  a  vote  of  at  least  two-thirds  of  the  members  present ;  nor 
shall  the  Speaker  entertain  a  motion  to  suspend  the  rules,  except 
during  the  last  ten  days  of  the  session,  and  on  Monday  of  every 
week  at  the  expiration  of  one  hour  after  the  journal  is  read,  unless 
the  call  of  States  and  Territories  for  bills  on'leave  and  resolutions 
has  been  earlier  concluded,  when  the  Speaker  may  entertain  a 
motion  to  suspend  the  rules. 

146.  All   elections   of   officers  of   the  House,   including    the 
Speaker,  shall  be  conducted  in  accordance  with  these  rules,  so  far 
as  the  same  are  applicable ;    and,   pending  the  election   of  a 
Speaker,  the  Cierk  shall  preserve  order  and  decorum,  and  shall 
decide  all  questions  of  order  that  may  arise,  subject  to  appeal  to 
the  House. 

147.  These  rules  shall  be  the  rules  of  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives of  the  present  and  succeeding  Congresses  unless  otherwise 
ordered. 

148.  An  additional  standing  committee  shall  be  appointed  at 
the  commencement  of  each  Congress,  whose  duties  shall  continue 
until  the  first  session  of  the  ensuing  Congress,  to  consist  of  five 
members,  to  be  entitled  a  "Committee  on  a  Uwiform  System  of 
Coinage,  Weights,  and  Measures;"  and  to  this  committee  shall  he 
referred  all  bills,  resolutions,  and  communications  to  the  House 
upon  that  subject. 

149.  The  names  of  members  not  voting  on  any  call  of  the  ayes 
and  noes  shall  be  recorded  in  the  journal  immediately  after  those 
voting  in  the  affirmative  and  negative,  and  the  same  record  shall 
be  made  in  the  Congressional  Globe. 

150.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  the  Pacific  Rail- 
road to  take  into  consideration  all  sucli  petitions  and  matters  or 
things  relative  to  railroads  or  telegraph  lines  between  the  Miss- 
issippi valley  and  the  Pacific  coast  as  shall  be  presented  or  shall 
come  in  question,  and  be  referred  to  them  by  the  House,  and  to 
report  their  opinion  thereon,  together  with  such  propositions 
relative  thereto  as  to  them  shall  seem  expedient. 

151.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  of  Ways  and  Means 
to  take  into  consideration  all  reports  of  the  Treasury  Department, 
and  such  other  propositions  relative  to  raising  revenue  and  pro- 
viding ways  and  means  for  the  support  of  the  government  as 
shall  be  presented  or  shall  come  in  question,  and  be  referred  to 


HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES.  459 

them  by  the  House,  and  to  report  their  opinion  thereon  bj  bill 
or  otherwise,  as  to  them  shall  seem  expedient ;  and  said  com- 
mittee shall  have  leave  to  report  for  commitment  at  any  time. 

152.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  Banking  and 
Bank  Currency  to  take  into  consideration  all  propositions  relative 
to  banking  and  the  currency  as  shall  be  presented  or  shall  come 
in  question,  and  be  referred  to  them  by  the  House,  and  to  report 
thereon  by  bill  or  otherwise. 


460  REMARKS. 


REMARKS  TO  ARTICLE    XIV. 

Since  the  publication  of  the  first  edition  of  this  work,  (early 
in  the  year  1868,)  the  nation  has  been  officially  notified  by 
the  Hon.  W.  II.  Seward,  Secretary  of  State,  under  due  instruc- 
tions from  Congress,  that  the  Fourteenth  Article  of  Amendment 
to  the  Constitution,  submitted  by  Congress  to  the  Legislatures 
of  the  several  States,  on  or  about  the  16th  day  of  June,  1866 : 
and  subsequently  ratified  by  more  than  three-fourths  of  the  said 
Legislatures,  "  has  become  valid  to  all  inte  nts  and  purposes  as 
a  part  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States." 

Thirty  States  have  adopted  this  most  important  amendment, 
namely,  the  States  of  Connecticut,  New  Hampshire,  Tennessee. 
New  Jersey,  Oregon,  Vermont,  New  York,  Ohio,  Illinois,  West 
Virginia,  Kansas,  Maine,  Nevada,  Missouri,  Indiana,  Minnesota, 
Rhode  Island,  "Wisconsin,  Pennsylvania,  Michigan,  Massachusetts, 
Nebraska,  Iowa,  Arkansas,  Florida,  North  Carolina,  Louisiasa, 
South  Carolina,  Alabama,  and  Georgia.  Five  States  have  re- 
jected it,  namely,  Texas,  Virginia,  Kentucky,  Delaware,  and 
Maryland.  The  remaining  States,  namely,  California  and  Missis- 
sippi, do  not  appear  to  have  taken  final  action  thereon. 


UNITED  STATES  CHRONOLOGY. 


[In  the  following  Chronological  Table,  we  have  inserted  only  such 
events  and  occurrences  as  relate  to  the  Government,  to  our  Wars,  and  to 
the  distinguished  Men  who  have  been  conspicuous  either  as  Statesmen  or 
Commanders  in  our  Army  or  Navy.  To  the  events,  we  have  added 
numerous  notes  and  comments,  which  make  the  following  pages  an  epit- 
ome of  the  history  of  our  Country.] 

1775. 

April  19— Battle  of  Lexington,  (10  M.,  N.  W.  of  Boston,)  the  beginning  of 
the  Revolutionary  War,  when  the  first  blood  in  that  contest  was 
spilt. 
May  10— The  Second  Continental  Congress  met  at  Philadelphia,  the  First 

having  met  Sept.  5,  the  year  before,  at  the  same  place. 

"    10 — Colonels  Allen  and  Arnold  surprised  and  took  Ticonderoga,  New 

York,  which  surrendered  without  the  loss  of  a  man.    The  same 

day  they  took  Crown  Point  (on  the  W.  shore  of  Lake  Champlaia). 

"    10— Peyton  Randolph,  of  Virginia,  chosen  President  of  the  Continental 

Congress. 

"    15 — Congress  resolved  to  issue  paper  money. 
"    20 — Articles  of  Union  and  Confederation  agreed  on  by  the  Thirteen 

Colonies. 

"    24 — John  Hancock  chosen  President  of  the  Continental  Congress. 
"    25 — The  British  Generals   Howe,   Clinton  and    Burgoyne  arrive  at 

Boston. 
June  15— Congress  unanimously  elect  George  Washington  Commander-in- 

Chief  of  the  American  Army. 

"  17 — Battle  of  Bunker  Hill  (near  Boston).  British  victorious,  but  not 
till  twice  repulsed  with  great  slaughter.  British  forces  3,000  ;  Ame- 
rican 1,500 ;  Br.  killed  and  wounded  1,000  ;  Am.  about  400.  Gen. 
Warren  fell  here.  The  English  burnt  Charlestowu,  near  Boston, 
the  same  day. 

"    22— Congress  resolved  to  issue  $2,000,000  in  Bills  cf  Credit. 
August— Col.  Arnold  left  Cambridge,  Mass.,  with  1,000  meu  to  invade  Ca- 
nada. 

Oct.  18 — Palmonth,  in  Mass.,  burnt  by  the  British. 
"    22— Peyton  Randolph,  the  first  President  of  the  Continental  Congress, 

died. 
Nov.  13 — Montreal  surrendered  to  the  Americans  under  Gen.  Montgomery ; 

St.  John's  had  surrendered  on  the  3d. 

Dec.    8— Battle  at  Norfolk,  Va.    Br.,  under  Lord  Dunmore,  defeated. 
44    13 — Congress  resolved  to  fit  out  a  navy  of  13  ships. 


462  CHRONOLOGY. 

"  21 — The  English  Parliament  pass  an  act  confiscating  all  American 
vessels  found  floating  on  the  water,  and  for  impressing  their  crewa 
into  the  British  navy,  without  distinction  of  persons. 

"  31 — Gen.  Montgomery  killed  in  an  attempt,  with  Col.  Arnold,  to  cap- 
ture Quebec,  and  after  a  hard  battle  the  Americans  were 
compelled  to  surrender  prisoners  of  war. 

1776. 

Jan.  1— Lord  Dunmore,  the  Br.  Governor  of  Virginia,  burnt  Norfolk  and 

fled. 
Mar.    3— The  Americans,  under  Col.  Bull,  burn  seven  English  ships,  laden 

for  Eng.,  near  Savannah.  Ga. 
"    10— Boston  plundered  by  British  soldiers. 

"  17 — The  Br.  Army  evacuate  Boston,  and  Gen.  Washington  takes  pos- 
session of  it. 

"  18— Sir  Archibald  Campbell,  not  knowing  that  the  English  had  left 
Boston,  entered  the  harbor  with  1,700  men,  all  of  whom  were 
made  prisoners  of  war  by  Washington. 

"    "  — Congress  resolved  to  call  in  and  burn  all  the  Continental  money 

issued  prior  to  this  date,  and  then  issue  $10.000.000  of  new  money. 

May    3 — Sir  Peter  Parker,  with  a  Br.  squadron  of  20  sail,  arrived  at  Cape 

Fear,  with  Lor.l  Cornwallis  on  board. 
"     5 — Congress  declared  the  authority  of  Great  Britain  abolished  in  the 

thirteen  Colonies. 

"  25 — Congress  resolved  to  engage  the  Indians  asrainst  the  British. 
June    8 — The  Americans  made  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  capture  some 
of  the  Br.  forces  at  Trois  Kiveres,  in  Canada,  but  burnt  St.  Ann's 
on  the  St.  Lawrence  river. 

"    11 — Congress  appoint  Thos.  Jefferson,  Jno.  Adams,  Benj.  Franklin, 
and  Kobt.  R.  Livingston  a  Committee  to  prepare  a  Declaration  of 
Independence. 
"    15 — The  British,  under  Sir  H.  Clinton,  attacked  Sullivan's  Island,  in 

Charleston  harbor ;  and 
"    28— They  bombarded  Fort  Moultry,  commanded  by  Col.  Moultry,  but 

were  driven  oflf. 
July    4 — DECLARATION  OF  INDEPENDENCE  of  the  United  States  declared. 

and  published  at  Philadelphia. 
July  12 — Lord  Howe  arrived  from  England  with  a  fleet  and  30,000  troops, 

principally  Hessians. 

"   "  — The  Algerines  take  94  American  prisoners  from  American  ships. 
Aug.  22 — Br.  troops  to  the  number  of  24,000,  under  Sir  Win.  Howe,  land 

on  Long  Island,  N.  Y. 

"  27— Battle  of  Flatbush,   or  Long  Island,  near  Brooklyn,  when  the 
Americans  were  surprised  by  the  British  and  Hessians,  and  de- 
feated with  a  loss  of  500  killed  a/id  1,100  taken  prisoners. 
Sept.  15— The  English  take  possession  of  New  York. 
Oct.  28 — Battle  of  White  Plains,  '25  miles  from  New  York. 
Nov.    1 — Henry  Laurens,  of  South  Carolina,  chjsen  President  of  the  Con- 
tinental Congress. 
"    16 — Fort  Washington,  on  New  York  Island,  taken  by  the  British,  but 

with  a  loss  of  nearly  1,000  men. 
Dec.    6 — The  British  take  Khocle  Island. 
"    25— Washington  took  1,000  Hessians  near  Trenton,  N.  J. 


CHRONOLOGY  463 

Deo.  20— Battle  of  Trenton,  N.  J. 

Iii  the  latter  part  of  this  year,  Congress  appointed  Benj.  Franklin, 
Silas  Deane.  and  Thomas  Jett'erson  Commissioners  to  France, 
to  procure  her  aid. 

1777. 

Jan.    4  -Battle  of  Princeton.  N.  J.    Loss  about  400  on  each  side,  but  Am. 

Gen.  Mercer  was  killed. 

Feb.    6— England  granted  Letters  of  Maique  and  Reprisal  against  Ame- 
rican ships. 
April  26— Uanoury,  Conn.,  burned  by  the  British  under  Gen.  Tryon. 

In  the  spring  of  this  year  Lafayette  arrived  in  America  from 
France,  to  aid  us  in  our  war  with  England. 

April John  Morton  of  Pennsylvania,  and 

Way  27 — Button  (iwinnet,  of  Georgia,  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  -nde- 

pendence.  died. 
May  24— Ool.  Meigs  attacked  the  British  shipping  at  Sag  Harbor,  N.Y.,  and 

destroyed  12  of  their  vessels. 

June  22 — The  British  evacuated  New  Brunsw'ck,  N.  J. 
July    7— After  a  fight,  the  U.  S.  frigate  Hancock  was  captured  by  three 

British  ships. 
»    "  — The  Americans,  under  Col.  Livingston,  were  defeated  by  the  Br. 

forces  in  a  battle  at  Fort  Ann,  N,  Y. 
"    31— The    Marquis    Lafayette,  by  a  vote  of  Congress,  was  made  a 

M;ijor-Gencral  at  the  age  of  21. 
Aug.    3 — Fort  Schuyler,  at  the  head  of  the  Mohawk  River,  invested  by  the 

Br.  General     Gauesvoort,  however,  held  it. 
"      6 — Gen.  Herkimer  was  ambushed  by  the  British  and  Indians  at  Oris- 

kany.  and  was  defeated  with  a  loss  of  400  men. 

»«    16 — Battle   of  Bennin^ton,  Vt.      Americans,  under  Col.  Stark,  vic- 
torious. 

"    19 — Nicholas  Herkimer,  a  brave  officer  who  was  wounded  at  the  bat- 
tle of  Oriskany.  died. 

"    22 — The  sie^e  of 'Fort  Stanwix  (on  the  Mohawk  River)  was  raised  by 
the  British  under  bt.  Leger,  who  retreated  with  loss  of  artillery, 
tents  and  stores. 
Sept.  11— Battle  of  lirandywine,  Del.    Americans,  under  Gen.  Sullivan, 

defeated. 
»    18— The  Continental  Congress,  now  in  session  at  Philadelphia,  ad- 

j  mrned  to  Lancaster  on  account  of  the  approach  of  the  British. 
«'    19— Battle   of  Stiilwater,  N.  Y.     Both  parties   claimed   the  vicUry. 

Am.  under  Gen.  Gates  ;  Br.,  Gen.  Burgoyue. 

"     26— The  English  look  possession  of  Philadelphia  without  opposition. 
"    28 — 21?— Gen.  Wayne,  with  1,500  men,  surprised  at  Paoli,  20  miles 

from  Phila.,  and  3UO  of  his  men  killed. 
Oct.    4 — Battle  of   Germantown,  near    Philadelphia.      Am ,  under  Gen. 

Washington,  defeated  by  the  Br.  under  Gen.  Howe. 
"     7 — Second  battle  of  Still  water  ;  Am.  victorious. 
"  13— Kingston,  N.  Y.,  burnt  by  the  British. 

"  17 — Gen.  Burgoyne  surrendered  his  army  to  Gen.  Gates,  at  Saratoga. 
"  22 — Battle  ol  Ked  Bank,  N.  J.    The   HessL.ns,  under  Count  Konop, 

defeated  with  a  loss  of  500  killed. 

Nov.  15— Articles  of  Confederation  adopted  by  the  Continental  Congress 
which  was  the  only  Constitution  during  the  war. 


46-i  CHRONOLOGY. 

Dec.  11 — Washington  and  his   Army  go  into  winter  quarters  at  Valley 

Forge,  20  miles  from  Philadelphia. 

"  21 — At  this  time  great  numbers  of  Am.  officers  and  men  -were  pris- 
oners of  war  in  New  York,  where  they  wero  confined  in  loathsome 
jails  and  sugar  houses,  and  many  of  them  starved  to  death. 

1778. 

Mar.   4 — The  American  frigate  Alfred,  20  guns,  captured  by  the  British 

ships  Ariadne  and  Ceres. 

"  11 — Bills  passed  the  English  Parliament,  in  which  every  thing  the  Col- 
onies had  asked  was  granted,  and  Commissioners  were  sent  to 
America  to  offer  terms  of  peace ;  bnt  Congress  now  rejected  them 
all.  Soon  after  this,  France  acknowledged  the  Independence  of 
the  United  States,  and  entered  into  a  Treaty  of  Alliance  and  Com- 
merce with  them,  which  Congress  ratified. 

"  21 — The  American  Ministers,  Franklin,  Deane  and  Lee  publicly  r« 
ceived  at  the  French  Court. 

April  IS — A  French  fleet,  commanded  by  Comt  D'Estaing,  sent  to  the  0 
States  to  aid  them  against  the  English. 

June  12 — Philip  Livingston,  of  N.  Y.,  a  signer  cf  the  Dec.  of  Independence, 

died. 

"    18 — The  English  evacuated  Philadelphia. 

"  28 — Battle  of  Monmouth,  N.  J. — Washing  tip  commanding  the  Ame- 
rican, and  Lord  Cornwallis  the  British  forces.  Americans  vic- 
torious. 

July  4-5 — Nearly  400  American  troops,  and  (he  greater  part  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  Valley  of  Wyoming,  were  massacred  by  the 
Tories  and  Indians — known  to  this  day  as  (he  "  Wyoming  Mas- 
sacre." 

Sept.  28 — A  Regt.  of  American  Cavalry  at  Tapprm,  X.  Y.,  surprised  by 
the  English,  who  rushed  upon  them  with  thu  bayonet,  and  killed, 
wounded  or  captured  67  of  thorn. 

Dec.  29— Savannah,  Geo.,  taken  by  the  English— 100  Amnicrns  killed,  and 
453  taken  prisoners. 

1779. 

May    2 — Verplank's  Point,  on  the   Hudson  River,  with  a  gaivison  of  70 

men,  surrendered  to  the  British,  under  (Jen.  Clinton. 
»  10 — Norfolk  and  Portsmouth,  Va.,  taken  by  the  British,  wht  burnt 

many  of  the  houses  and  vessels. 
"  31 — Stony  Point,  on  the  Hudson,  abandoned  by  the  Americana,  and 

then  taken  by  the  English,  under  Gen.  Clinton. 
June  C — Patrick  Henry,  a  distinguished  orator  and  statesman,  of  Va.,  died 

aged  63. 
July  5-7 — N.  Haven,  Conn.,  plundered,  and  Fairfield,  E.  Haven  and  Nor 

walk  burnt  by  the  English. 
"  15^Gen.  \Vayue  captured  Stony  Point  from  the  English,  who  lost  GO" 

men ;  the  Americans  100. 
"   19— Battle  of  Paulus-Hook,  N.  J. ;  when  the  Americans,  under  Gea. 

Lee,  captured  the  English  troops  at  that  place. 

Aug.  22 — Gen.  Williamson  invaded  the  Indian  country,  and  burnt  50,00f 
bushels  of  their  corn. 


CHRONOLOGY.  465 

Aug.  29—"  Battle  of  the  Chemung,"  fought  at  Elniira,  N.  Y.  Americans, 
under  Gen.  Sullivan,  victorious. 

Sept.  23 — Great  battle  on  the  coast  of  Scotland,  between  a  flotilla  of  Ame- 
rican and  French  vessels,  commanded  by  Paul  Jones,  and  two  Br. 
frigates.  One  Br.  and  one  Am.  ship  sunk. 

Oct.  9— The  Americans  made  an  assault  on  Savannah,  Geo..  to  re-take  it 
from  the  English,  but  were  repulsed.  Count  Pulaski  and  nearly 
1,000  men  were  killed. 

Joseph  Hews,  of  North  Carolina,  Thomas  Lynch,  of  S.  Carolina, 
and  George  Ross,  of  Pa.,  all  signers  of  the  Dec.  of  Independ- 
ance,  died  this  year. 

1780. 

Hay  6— Fort  Monltry,  at  Charleston,  S.  C.,  surrendered  to  the  English,  who 

bombarded  the  city  at  the  same  time. 

"  12 — Charleston  also  surrendered.    Gen.  Lincoln  and  the  troops  under 
his  command  become  prisoners  of  war,  to  the  number  of  2,500, 
with  400  cannon. 
June  13 — Maj.  Gen.  Gates  ordered  by  Congress  to  take  command  of  the 

Southern  department. 

"    23— Battle  of  Springfield,  N.  J.    The  British  burnt  the  town. 
July  10— A  French  fleet,  with  Count  Rochambeau  and  6,000  French  soldiers 
on  board,  arrived  at  Rhode  Island,  for  the  purpose  of  assisting  the 
Americans  against  England. 
Aug.  6 — Battle  at  Hanging  Rock ;  GOO  Americans,  under  Sumpter,  almost 

entirely  destroyed. 

"  16— Battle  at  Sanders  Creek,  near  Camden,  S.C.  Lord  Cornwallia 
commanding  the  English,  and  Gen.  Gates  the  Americans,  who 
were  defeated,  and  Baron  DeKalb  was  mortally  wounded. 
Bept.  — The  traitor  Benedict  Arnold  agrees  to  i-urrender  West  Point, 
N.  Y.,  to  the  English;  Major  Andre,  the  British  officer  who  nego- 
tiated with  Arnold,  was  soon  after  captured  and  hung,  and  the 
plot  failed. 

John  Hart,  of  N.  J.,  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
died  this  year. 

"  21— Major  Andre,  the  British  spy.  landed  in  the  night  from  the 
British  ship  Vulture,  and  proceeded  to  West  Point  to  confer  with 
Arnold  for  the  surrender  of  that  port. 

"      23— Major  Andre,  taken  at  Tarrytown,  and  hung,  Oct.  2. 
Oct.  7 — Battle  of  King's  Mountain,  S.  C.    300  British  killed  and  wounded, 

800  prisoners,  and  1,500  stand  of  arms  taken. 

"  25— Gen.  Marion,  of  S.  C.,  attacked  200  British  and  Tories,  under  Col. 
Tyne,  killed  and  took  one-half  of  them. 

1781. 

Jan.  17 — Battle  of  Cowpens,  S.  C. ;  Col.  Morgan  commanding  the  American, 

and  Col.  Tarleton  the  English  forces.     Americans  victorious. 
Feb.  23— Geo.  Taylor,  of  Pa.,  and  Feb.  28,  Richard  Stockton,   of  N.  J  , 

signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  died. 
March  15— Battle  at  Guilford  Court  House,  N.  C. ;  Gen.  Green  commanding 

the  American,  and  Lord  Cornwallis  the  English  forces;  the  latter 

victorious.    Loss  of  both  about  equal. 


4:66  CHRONOLOGY. 

April  25 — Battle  of  Camden,  S.  C. ;  Gen.  Green  commanding  the  American, 

ami  Lord  Itawdun  the  English  forces.     The  latter  victorious. 
May  21— Ihe  Kritish  Fort  Dreadnought  succumbed  to  the  Americans  under 

Gen.  Lee. 
"    28 — The  U.  S.  frigate  Alliance.  32  guns.  Capt.  Barry,  captured  the 

British  sloops  Atalanta,  16  gun*,  and  Trespasser.  14  guns. 
June  5 — Fort  Cornwallis,  at  Augusta,  Geo.,  surrendered  to  the  Americans, 

with  300  men. 

"   20 — Lord  Cornwallis  evacuated  Richmond,  Va.,  and 
July  4— Wiliiamsburgh.  Va. 
Sept.  6 — Fort  Griswold  taken  by  the  English,  under  the  traitor  Arnol  1.  and 

the  garrison  put  to  the  sword.    Col.  Ledyard,  who  commanded  the 

fort,  was  run  through  with  his  own  sw'ord,  after  he  had  sum  n- 

dered.    The  same  day,  New  London,  Conn.,  was  burnt  by  the 

same  infamous  wretch. 
"   8 — Battle   of  Eutaw  springs.   S.  C. ;   Gen.   Green  commanding  the 

American,  and  Col.  Stewart  the  English  forces. 
Oct.  19— Battle  of  Yorktown,  Va.,  when  alter  several  days'  fijrhting.  Lord 

Coriiwallis  with  7000  troops  surrendered  to  Gen.  Washington. 
»    25 — <"ol.  Willett,    of  N.  Y.,    defeated    600    Eng.ish    troops,    under 

Major  Ross. 
Dec.  31 — Henry  Laurens,  U.  S.  Minister  to  France,  was  liberated  from 

prison,  in  London,  and  exchanged  for  the  British  Gen.  Burgoyne. 

1782. 

March  4 — Resolutions  passed  the  English  TTonse  of  Commons  in  favor  of 
peace  between  England  and  her  American  Colonies-inconsequence 
of  which  very  few  military  operations  were  carried  on  this  year. 

April  19 — The  independence  uf  the  United  states  acknowledged  by  Holland. 

July  11 — The  British  evacuate  Savannah.  Geo..  and  Gen.  Wayne  took  pos- 
session of  it,  who  def/ated  a  body  of  British  troops  near  that  city 
about  the  same  time. 

Sept.  30— Yorktown,  Va.,  invested  by  the  American  and  French  armies, 
under  Washington  and  Hoehambeau. 

Dec.  16— The  British  burnt  Fort  Arbuthnot,  and  a  new  fort  on  Sullivan's 

Island.  S.  C. 

"  20— The  U.  S.  frigate  Charleston,  of  40  guns,  was  (after  on  18  hours' 
chase)  capturtd  by  the  British  ships  Quebec  and  Diomede.  The 
first  American  74-gun  ship  was  built  this  year  at  1'ortsmouth,  N.  11. 

1783. 

Jan.  20 — re3«ation  of  hostilities  agreed  upon  between  England  and  the 

United  States. 
Feb.  5 — Independence  of  the  United  States  acknowledged  by  Sweden. 

'•  25— Independence  of  the  United  States  acknowledged  by  D  nniark. 
March  24 — Independence  of  the  United  States  acknowledged  by  Spain. 
July     — Independence  of  the  United  States  acknowledged  by  Russia. 
April  19— Cessation  of  hostilities  between  England  and  the  United  States 
proclaimed  ju^t  eight  yeaia  from  the  day  on  which  the  revolu- 
tionary war  commenced.    Estimated  loss  of  mea  in  this  war, 
70,000. 


CHRONOLOGY.  467 

June  18 — Washington  announces  to  the  Governors  of  the  thirteen  Colonies 

th^tt  he  would  soon  resign  the  command  of  the  army. 
July  21 — Three  hundred  of  the  revolutionary  soldi  rs,  with  fixed  bayonets, 

surrounded    he   liuilding  in  which  Congress  were  assembled,  and 

('emanded  relief  from  their  sufferings 
Sept.  3— Treaty  of  peace  between  England  and  the  United  States  signed, 

and  the  independence  of  the  United  states  acknowledged  by  the 

former. 

Oct.  18— Proclamation  for  disbanding  the  U  R.  army  issued. 
Nov.  25 — New  York  evacuated  by  the  English  troops,  and  in  December 

they  evacuated  Charleston.  S.  C. 
Dec.  4—  Washington  took  leave  of  the  officers  of  the  American  army  in 

New  Y,7rk. 
"  24 — Washington  resigned  his  office  as  c^mmander-in- chief  of  the  army, 

and  del.vered  up  his  commission  to  congress  at  Annapolis,  mid 

while  it  was  in  sess;on.  Caesar  Rodney,  of  Delaware,  one  of  the 

signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  d.ed  this  year. 

1784. 

Feb.     — First  voyage  from  New  York  to  China. 

Oct.  22 — Treaty  between  the  United  states  and  the  six  nations  (of  Indians) 
concluded  at  Fort  Stanwix,  now  Rome,  N.  Y. 

1785. 

July  9_Treaty  between  the  United  States  and  Prussia. 
"  13 — Stephen  Hopkins,  of  Hhode  Island,  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of 

Independence,  died. 
Nov.  28— William  Whipple,  of  New  Hampshire,  a  signer  of  the  Declaration 

of  Independence,  died. 

1786. 

June  19— Gen.  Nathaniel  Green,  a  dist'nguished  officer  in  the  Revolutionary 
war,  died,  aged  4(5.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Trenton.  Princeton, 
Gerrnantown,  Moumouth,  and  Eutaw  Springs,  which  closed  the 
war  at  the  South. 

This  year  was  distinguished  by  a  Rebellion  which  broke  out  in 
the  State  of  Mass..  also  in  New  Hampshire,  called  Shay's  Rebellion, 
on  account  of  the  heavy  taxes  which  those  States  imposed  on  the 
people  to  sustain  their  credit. 

1787. 

Jan.  1 — Arthur  Middleton,  of  South  Carolina,  a  signer  of  the  Declaration 
of  Independence,  died. 
In  July  a  large  extent  of  territory  north  of  the  Ohio  river  was 

formed  into  the  Northwestern  Territory. 
Sept.  17— The  Constitution  of  the  United  States  agreed  upon  in  Convention 

at  Philadelphia. 

Oct.  5 — Thomas  Stone,  of  Maryland,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration 
of  Independence,  died. 


4:68  CHRONOLOGY. 

1788. 

Previous  to  and  during  this  year  eleven  of  the  States  adopted  the  United 
States  Constitution. 

1789. 

Jan.  4 — Thomas  NYlson,  of  Virginia,  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence, died. 
Feb.  13— Ethan  Allen,  one  of  the  most  distinguished  revolutionary  heroes, 

died. 
April  30 — Washington  inaugurated  the  first  President  of  the  United  States, 

and  the  Government  went  into  operation  under  the  Constitution. 
July  4— Congress  passed  the  first  act  imposing  duties  on  imported  goods. 
"    27 — The  Department  and  Secretary  of  "  Foreign  Affairs,"  created  by 
Act  of  Congress,  but  changed  to  Department  and  Secretary  of 
State,  in  the  following  September. 

Aug.  7 — The  Department  and  Secretary  of  War  created  by  Act  of  Congress. 
'•   23— Silas  Dean,  U.  S.  Minister  to  France  in  1776,  died  in  England  in 

extreme  poverty. 
Sept.  2— The  Department  and  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  created  by  Act 

of  Congress. 
Sept.  22— The   Post-office  Department  temporarily  established,   and  the 

office  of  Post-Master-General  created  by  a  law  of  Congress. 
"     24— The  act  for  the  establishment  of  the  Judicial  System  of  the  U.  S. 
passed.    By  this  act,  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court,  the  Circuit  and 
District  Courts  were  created.    Also  the  offices  of  the  U.  S.  District 
Attorneys  and  Marshalls. 

In  this  month,  Congress  passed  itwo-thirds  of  both  Houses  con- 
curring) a  resolution,  proposing  ten  amendments  to  the  Con- 
stitution, which  were  adopted  by  three-fourths  of  the  States. 
These  are  the  ten  first  amendments  to  that  instrument. 

1790. 

March  1 — Congress  passed  an  Act,  providing  for  taking  the  first  Census 

this  year. 

"     24— First  Naturalization  Law  passed. 
April  15— First  Patent  Eight  Law  passed. 
"     30 — Treason  and  piracy  were  defined  by  Act  of  Congress,  and  death 

by  hanging  was  made  the  penalty  in  both  cases. 
May  29 — U.  S.  Constitution  adopted  by  llhode  Island. 
"    31— First  Act  passed  for  secmiag  Copy-Rights  for  the  benefit  of 
authors. 

Gen.  Israel  Putnam,  one  of  the  most  intrepid  officers  of  the  revo- 
lution, died  this  month. 

July  16 — Seat  of  Government,  wh  ch  was  at  this  time  at  New  York,  was  by 
Act  of  Congress  removed  to  Philadelphia,  where  it  was  to  remain 
till  A.D.  1SCO,  when  it  was  to  be  permanently  fixed  at  Wash- 
ington. 

During  this  year,  Virginia  and  Maryland  ceded  the  District  of 
Columbia  to  the  United  States  as  a  location  for  the  seat  of 
government. 

Benjamin  Franklin,  of  Pa.,  William  Hooper,  of  N.  C.,  and  Francis 
Hopkinson,  of  N.  J.,  all  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence, died  this  year. 
Tennessee  was  formed  into  a  territorial  government  this  year. 


CHRONOLOGY.  469 

1791. 

Feb.  25— First  United  States  Bank  chartered  by  Congress,  with  a  capital 
not  to  exceed  $10,000.000;  charter  to  continue  for  twenty  years. 

March  4 — Vermont  admitted  into  the  Union  as  a  State,  making  the  four- 
teenth State. 

Nov.  4 — (Jen.  St.  Clair  attacked  in  camp  by  the  Indians,  eighty  miles  north 
of  Cincinnati.  O.,  and  lost  600  out  of  2,000  msn.     (See  further.) 

Dec.  20— The  first  United  States  Bank  commenced    business   in  Phila- 
delphia. 
This  year,  by  Act  of  Congress,  a  tax  was  laid  on  distilled  spirits. 

This  was  the  first  attempt  to  raise  revenue  by  internal  taxes. 
Benj.  Harrison,  of  Va.,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  died  this  year. 


died  this  yea 
e  preceding  y 
bloody  war  with  the  Indians  north  of  the  Ohio  river. 


During  this  and  the  preceding  year,  the  country  was  involved  in  a 
"t)lo< 


1792. 

Feb.  16 — BOUNTIES  TO  FISHING  VESSELS,  first  Act  for,  passed. 
"    20 — An  Act  permanently  to  establish  Post  Offices  and  Post  Roads  in 

the  United  States. 
April  2— The  Act  for  establishing  the  U.  S.  Mint  at  Philadelphia  passed, 

directing  what  pieces  of  coin  should  be  made. 

"     14 — First  Act  apportioning  the  Representatives  in  Congress  among 
the  several  States  passed  ;  this  was  based  on  the  first  census,  taken 
in  1790. 
May  8— First  Act  of  Congress,  providing  for  a  Uniform  Militia  System 

throughout  the  United  States. 

June  1 — Kentucky  admitted  into  the  Union.  She  was  the  second  admis- 
sion, making  the  fifteenth  State. 

Dec.  8— Henry  Laurens,  of  South  Carolina,  first  President  of  the  Continen- 
tal Congress,  died. 

In  the  autumn  of  this  year,  the  second  Presidential  election 
occurred,  when  Washington  was  unanimously  ree'lected  Presi- 
dent, and  John  Adams  Vice-President. 

1793. 

Early  in  this  year,  Mr.  Genet,  Minister  of  the  French  Republic  to  the  United 
States,  arrived.  But  his  conduct  was  so  mischievous,  that  Presi- 
dent Washington  requested  the  French  Government  to  recall  him, 
which  was  done. 

Feb.  12 — First  Fugitive  Slave  Law  passed. 

"    is — The  President's  Salary,  fixed  by  Act  of  Congress  at  $25,000  per 
year,  where  it  has  remained  ever  since. 

March  9— It  was  enacted  by  Congress  that  every  male  citizen,  between  the 
ages  of  18  and  45,  sho;ilii  ba  enrolled  in  the  mili-ia. 

July  23 — Koger  Sherman,  of  Conn.,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration 
of  Independence,  died. 

Oct.  8 — John  Hancock,  of  Mass.,  the  first  man  who  signed  the  Declaration 
of  Independence,  died. 

Dec.  31 — Thomas  Jefferson  resigned  his  office  of  Secretary  of  State. 


470  CHEONOLOGY. 


1194. 

March  22— The  law  passed  prohibiting  the  Slave  trade,  which  maile  it  a 

cr.me  to  bring  slaves  into  <>r  t;ike  ihem  out  of  the  country. 
"       26 — Congress  bid  an  embargo  on  all  vessels  in  United  --tales  ports 
for  .(0  davs.  which  was  extended  to  60  days. 

This  year  the  eleventh  Amen  Iment  of  the  '  'onstitution  was  recom- 
mended by  resolution  of  Congress,  which  was  adopted  by  tue 
States.  ' 

June  4 — The  Pres  dent  was  authorized  by  Congress  to  lay  embargoes  on  all 
vessels  in  any  of  the  ports  of  the  United  States,  an  I  to  revoke  the 
same  whenever  he  deemed  it  necessary  for  the  interests  of  the 

"  19— Richard  H.  I.ee,  nf  Va. ;  Sept.  —Abraham  Clark,  of  Nf.  H. ;  and 
Nov  15— John  Witherspoon,  of  N.  J.,  three  signers  of  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,  died. 

Ang.  19— Battle  of  Maumee,  in  Ohio,  when  Gen.  Wayne,  with  a  force  of 
3,000  men,  met  and  routed  the  Indians,  and  laid  their  country 
waste. 

In  the  autumn  of  this  year,  the  Whisky  Rebellion  broke  out  in  Pa. 
This  was  a  resistance   principally  by  the  opponents  of  the 
administration  to  the  law  of  Congress  imposing  a  tax  on  the 
manufacture  of  whisky. 
Nov.  28 — Baron  riteuben  died  at  Steubenville,  N.  Y.,  aged  61. 

1795. 

Jan.  23 — Gen.  Sullivan,  a  gallant  and  heroic  officer  of  the   Revolution, 

died. 
Jan.  29 — Congress  passed  an  Act  establishing  a  Uniform  Rule  of  Xatural'za- 

lion,  which  was  more  stringent  thau  a  former  law  on  the  samo 

subject 
May  19 — Josiah  B.irtlett.  of  N.  H.,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of 

Independence,  died. 
Nov.  28— A  peace  was  concluded  with  Algiers,  with  whom  a  short  naval 

war  had  betn  carried  on  by  the  Uuited  estates  this  year. 


1798. 

Jan.  1— By  Act  of  Congress,  Tennessee  was  admitted  as  a  State,  making 

the  18th  state. 
•«    5— >arnuel  Huntington,  of  Connecticut,  a  signsr  of  the  Declaration  of 

Independence,  died. 

June     — Tennessee  admitted  as  a  State. 
Sept.     — v\  ashington  issued  his  Kim- we,  I  Address  to  the  people  of  the  U.  S., 

having  determined  to  retire  from  public  life  at  the  end  of  his  second 

presidential  term  of  office. 

In  the  autumn  of  this  year,  the  third  Presidential  Election  took 

place,  which  ri  suited  in  the  choice  of  John  Adams. 
Dec.  14 — Gen.  Wayne,  Comniauder-in-Chief  of  the  United  States  forces, 

died  at  Presque  Isle,  aged  51. 


CHRONOLOGY.  471 


1797. 

March  4 — John  Adams  inan-rurated  the  second  President. 
June  14 — Ongress  enacted  that  no  citizen  of  the  United  States  shotiM 
ensrage  in  privateering  a<ra  nst  any  nation  in  amity  with  ns 
Francis  L.  I.ee.  of  Va. ;  Carter  Hraxt  >n.  of  Va. ;  and  Oliver  Wat- 
cott,  of  Cnnn.,  all  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
died  this  year. 

During  this  year  the  French  Republic  became  exasperated  at  the 
United  States  because  they  refused  to  act  with  France  :  gainst 
England,  these  two  powers  being  then  at  war.  France  curried 
her  spiteful  feelings  so  far.  as  to  drive  our  Minister.  Mr  Pinck- 
ney.  out  of  the  country.  She  also  authorized  the  capture  and 
confiscation  of  American  vessels.  This  state  of  things  came 
near  involving  the  two  nations  in  a  war;  but  fortunately  it  was 
soou  afterwards  settled. 


1798. 

April  3— The  Navy  Department  created  by  Act  of  Congress.    Up  to  this 

time  we  had  no  navy  department. 

"     7 — Mississippi  organized  into  a  Territorial  Government. 
11   25 — An  Act  of  Congress  authorized  the  President  to  order  any  alien  to 
leave  the  country  who  he  had  reasonable  grounds  to  believe  was 
h  TC  for  treasonable  purposes. 

July  7  and  9 — t  'ongress  authorize  the  capture  of  Frpnch  vessels ;  and  all 
treaties  with  France  were  declared  void.  But  these  difficulties 
were  soon  after  settled  by  treaty. 

"  — Uudsr  an  apprehension  that  tin-re  would  be  war  with  France.  Gen. 
Washington  was  again  appointed  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
army. 

During  this  and  the  ensuing  year,  the  Alien  and  Sedition  Laws 
were  passed.  These  laws  rendered  John  Adams'  administra- 
tion very  unpopular. 

Lewis  Morris,  of  N.  Y. ;  James  Wilson,  of  Pa. ;  and  Geo.  Read,  of 
Del.,  all  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  died 
this  year. 

1799. 

Fob.  9— Battle  between  the  United  States  frigate  Constitution,  of  36  guns. 
I 'apt.  Truxton,  and  the  French  frigate  Insurgent,  of  48  guns  and 
410  men.  The  Insurgent  was  captured. 

By  Act  of  Congress,  Commercial   Intercourse  with  France  was 
prohibited.     Our  ships  were    not  allowed   to  enter  French 
ports. 
Dec.  19— Washington  died,  in  the  68th  year  of  his  age. 

William  1'aca,  of  Md..  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence, died  this  year. 


4:72  CHRONOLOGY. 

1800. 

Jan.  23 — Edward  Rutledge,  of  S.  C.,  ono  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration 

of  Independence,  died. 
Feb.  1 — Battle  between  the  United  States  frigate  Constitution,  Capt.  Trux- 

ton,  and  the  French  frigate  La  Vengeance,  La  Vengeance  whippec. 
April  4— An  Act  establishing  a  uniform  system  of  Bankruptcy  throughout 

the  United  States  passed  by  Congress. 
May  7 — Congress  pass  an  Act  to  organize  the  Territory  of  Indiana. 

In  the  summer  of  this  year  the  seat  of  Government  was  removed 
to  Washington,  and  the  Mississippi  Territory  was  organized 
into  a  territorial  government. 
Sept.  30 — A  treaty  was  concluded  between  the  United  States  and  France, 

now  in  the  hands  of  Napoleon  Buonaparte,  and  the  long-standing 

difficulties  between  the  two  countries  were  amicably  settled. 

In  the  autumn  of  this  year,  the  fourth  Presidential  election  occurred, 
resulting  in  the  choice  of  Thos.  Jefferson. 

1SO1. 

Mar.    4— Thomas  Jefferson  Inaugurated  the  fourth  President  of  the  United 

States. 
June  10— The  Bashaw  of  Tripoli,  one  of  the  petty  Princes  of  the  Barbary 

States  in  the  North  of  Africa,  declared  war  against  the  U.  States. 
"    14— Benedict  Arnold,  the  Traitor,  died  in  London. 

1802. 

Jan.  14— An  act  apportioning  the  Representatives  in  Congress  among  the 
States,  based  on  the  census  of  1800,  by  which  a  member  was  al- 
lowed for  every  33,000  population. 
Ohio  was  admitted  into  the  Union  this  year,  making  the  17th  State. 

April  14 — Congress  pass  a  new  Naturalization  law,  repealing  all  former 
laws  on  this  subject.  > 

May   3 — The  City  of  Washington  incorporated  by  act  of  Congress.    * 

In  October  the  Spanish  Governor  of  Louisiana  (which  belonged 
to  Spain  at  this  time,)  closed  the  port  of  New  Orleans  against 
the  United  States. 

1803. 

Oct.  31 — The  U.  S.  frigate  Philadelphia,  Capt.  Bainbridge,  ran  on  a  rock  in 
the  harbor  of  Tripoli,  whon  the  Tripolitans  captured  her.  The 
Philadelphia  was  one  of  a  number  of  U.  S.  ships  sent  into  the 
Mediterranean  sea  to  punish  the  Tripolitans  for  their  piratical  de- 
predations upon  our  commerce. 

Dec.  20 — The  United  States  took  possession  of  Louisiana,  which  they  had 
bought  this  year  of  France  for  $15,000,000. 

Matthew  Thornton,  of  N.  Y.,  Samuel  Adams  of  Mass.,  and  Francis 
Lewis  of  N.  Y.,  all  signers  of  the  Dec.  of  Independence,  died 
this  year. 


CHRONOLOGY.  473 


1804. 

Feb.    2— George  Walton,  of  Geo. ;  and  May  11,  Robert  Treat  Paine,  of 

Mass..  signers  of  the  Dec.  of  Independence,  died. 

"  3— Lieut  Uecatur.  of  the  U.  S.  navy,  with  a  small  schooner,  in  the 
night,  ran  into  the  harbor  of  Tripoli  and  burnt  the  U.  S.  frigate 
Philadelphia,  which  had  been  captured  by  the  Tripolitans. 

July  12— Gen.  Alexander  Hamilton  died  of  a  wound  received  in  a  duel  with 
Aaron  Burr,  the  Vice- President  of  the  United  States. 

Aug.  3 — Com.  Prebble,  Commanding  the  American  Squadron  in  the  Medi- 
terranean sea,  had  a  severe  action  with  several  Tripo'.itan  gun- 
boats, and  captured  a  number  of  them ;  and  then,  in  this,  and  the 
following  months,  he  bombarded  Tripoli  several  times. 

Sept.  12 — The  American  Squadron  in  the  Mediterranean  sea  captured,  near 
Tripoli,  two  vessels  loaded  with  wheat,  for  the  city. 

Nov.  18— Gen.  Philip  Schuyler  died  at  Albany.  N.  Y. 

In  the  fall  of  this  year  the  fifth  Presidential  election  took  place,  at 
which  Jeflerson  was  re-elected  for  President,  and  George 
Clinton,  of  New  York,  Vice- President. 

1805. 

June  3— A  Treaty  of  peace  was  made  with  Tripoli,  and  the  American 
prisoners  liberated. 

This  year  Michigan,  which  was  a  part  of  the  Great  North- Western 
Territory,  became  distinct,  Congress  having  established  a  ter- 
ritorial government  for  it. 

June  11 — Michigan  Territory  organized  into  a  Territorial  government. 
Sept.  27 — William  Moultry,  a  distinguished  officer  of  the  Revolution,  who 
so  bravely  defended  Sullivan's  Island  in  1776,  died. 

1S06- 

April  10 — Gen.  Gates,  a  very  distinguished  General  in  the  Revolutionary 
war,  died  in  New  York. 

May  8— Robert  Morris,  of  Pa. ;  June  8— George  Wythe,  of  Virginia  ;  July 
11— James  Smith,  of  Pa.,  all  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence, died. 

Oct.  25 — Henry  Knox,  a  Major-General  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and 
Secretary  of  War  under  Washington,  died. 

1807. 

Feb.  10 — The  United  States  Coast  Survey  ordered  by  act  of  Congress. 

Mar.  2 — Congress  enacted  a  law,  prohibiting  the  Slave  trade  from  Africa 
or  any  other  country,  after  1808. 

June  22— The  British  ship  Leopard  attacked  the  American  frigate  Chesa- 
peake, and  took  four  men  out  of  her,  claiming  them  as  British  sub- 
jects: this,  and  other  similar  acts,  led  to  the  war  of  1812  with 
.England. 


4:74  CHRONOLOGY. 

July  2— President  Jefferson  ordered  all  British  ships  of  war,  iu  any  of  the 
American  waters,  to  leave. 

During  this  year  Col.  Aaron  Burr  was  tried  for  Treason,  but  the 
proof  was  insufficient  to  convict  him. 

Ang.  25— Com  Prebble,  of  the  United  states  Navy,  who  subdued  Tripoli, 
died. 

Nov.  26— Oliver  Ellsworth,  Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States,  died. 

Dec.  17— The  Mil*n  decrees  issued  by  N'apoleon  Buonaparte,  denationalizing 
all  vessels  that  submitted  to  the  British  Order  in  Council— this  led 
to  the  capture  of  American  vessels  by  French  cruisers,  and  came 
near  causing  a  w.ir  between  the  United  States  and  France. 

Dec.  'Li —  :ongress  laid  an  Embargo  on  all  the  Shipping  of  the  U.  States. 
This  was  done  in  retaliation  towards  England  and  France  for  their 
unfriendly  acts  towards  us.  But  this  annihilated  all  our  foreign 
commerce  ;  became  unpopular,  and  was  repealed  in  1809. 


1808. 

Jan.  1 — The  act  of  Congress  passed  in  1804,  abolishing  the  Slave  trade, 
went  into  effect  this  day. 

1809. 

Feb.    3— Illinois  organized  into  a  Territorial  government. 

liar.    1 — Congress  repealed  tiie  Embargo  it  laid  on  all  American  vesseli», 

Dec.  22,  1807. 

"     4 — .James  Mad;son,  inaugurated  the  fourth  President. 
"     9 — Thomas   Haywood.  of  South  Carolina,  one  of  the  signers  of  the 

D  -c.  of  Independence,  dieJ.    And  on  the  2Gth  of  Oct.,  John  Penn, 

another  of  them.  died. 
Aug.  9 — President  Jefferson,  on  receipt  of  information  that  the  late  Treaty 

with   England  was  not   ratified,  suspended  all  intercourse  with 

that  country. 

1810. 

Mar.  23— Napoleon  Buonaparte,  who.  at  this  t'me  was  at  the  head  of  the 
French  government,  issuad  a  decree  by  which  all  American  ves- 
sels and  cargoes  arriving  in  any  French  ports,  were  ordered  to  be 
seized  and  condemned ;  but  in  the  following  Nov.  this,  and  all 
other  hostile  decrees,  were  revoked. 


1811. 

Feb.  26— Naval  Hospitals  established  by  act  of  Congress. 

May  16— Naviil  action  between  the  U.  States  ship  President  and  the  Eng- 
lish ship  Little  Bett,  which  was  captured. 

June  1 — (Jen.  W.  Eaton  died,  distinguished  for  his  heroic  conduct  in  the 
expedition  against  Tripoli. 


CHRONOLOGY.  475 

June  19— Samuel  Chase,  a  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court,  died.  He  was  also 
one  of  the  signers  of  the  Pec.  of  Independence. 

Aug.    2 — Williams,  of  Conn.,  another  of  the  signers,  died. 

N'ov.  7— The  frontier  Indians  at  this  time  were  very  hostile  to  tho 
United  States ;  and  on  this  day  they  attacked  our  troopa  com- 
manded by  Gen.  Harrison  at  Tippecanoe  ;  a  bloody  battle  ensued, 
and  the  Indians  were  defeated. 

Dec.  2 — The  third  apportionment  of  Representatives  among  the  several 
States,  based  on  the  census  of  1810,  by  which  one  Representative 
was  allowed  for  every  35.000  people. 


1812. 

Mar.    4— The  Charter  of  tho  United  States  Bank  expired  by  its  own  lim- 
itation. 
April    4— Congress  laid  an  Embargo  on  all  vessels  in  the  ports  of  the  17. 

States.    This  was  done  in  anticipation  of  a  war  with  England. 
"       8 — Lousiana  admitted  into  the  Union,  making  tbe  18th  State. 
'     20— George  Clinton,  Vice-President  of  the  United  States,  died. 
"     25 — The  General  Land  Office  established  at  Washington. 
"     20— The  U.  S.  frigate  Essex,  Capt.  Porter,  captured  two  English 

ships  in  the  Pacific  ocean. 

June    4 — Missouri  organized  into  a  Territorial  government. 
"    18 — The  President,  in  conformity  with  an  act  of  Congress  passed  a 

few  days  before,  declared  war  with  England. 
July  12— Gen.  Hull,  with  2,000  troops,  invades  Canada. 
Aug.    8 — Gen.  Hull,  with  his  troops,  evacuate  Canada  and  cross  over  to 

Detroit. 
"      9— Major  Van  Horn  met  a  few  British  and  Indians  under  the  famous 

Chief  Tecumseh,  and  routed  them  with  considerable  loss. 
"    15— The  British  General  Brock  summoned  the  City  of  Detroit  to  sur- 
render, which  summons  Gen.  Hull,  moved  with  cowardice  or 
treason,  basely  obeyed. 

"  15 — Battle  of  Fort  Chicago ;  which,  after  a  bloody  contest,  surrender- 
ed to  the  Indians.  The  men  and  women  were  all  murdered  after 
the  surrender. 

"  19— The  American  frigate  Constitution,  of  44  guns,  Capt.  Hull,  en- 
gaged the  English  frigate  Guerrier,  and  in'half  a  hour  the  G.  lost 
half  her  men  and  was  a  wreck. 

Oct.  13 — Queenstown,  Upper  Canada,  captured  by  the  U.  S.  troops  under 
Gen.  Solomon  Van  Ranssalaer ;  but  the  English  were  reinforced 
and  recaptured  it.  They  were  commanded  by  Gen.  Brock,  who 
was  killed  in  this  buttle. 

•'  18— The  U-  S.  sloop  of  war  Wasp,  Capt.  Johnes,  captured  the  British 
brig  Frolic,  on  the  coast  of  North  Carolina,  after  a  bloody  fight  of 
three-fourths  of  an  hour ;  but  both  were  recaptured  the  same  day 
by  an  English  74-gun  ship. 

"  25— The  frigate  United  States.  Capt.  Decatur,  engaged  with  the  Eng- 
lish frigate  Macedonian,  which  struck  her  colors  after  an  action  ot 
two  hours     This  occurred  west  of  the  Canary  Islands. 
Nov.  22 — The  British  frigate  Southampton  captured  the  U.  S.  brig  Vixen. 
after  a  severe  action. 


476  CHBONOLOGY. 

Dec.  29 — The  U.  S.  frigate  Constitution,  Cora.  Bainbridge,  captured  the 
British  frigate  Java,  and  burned  her  off  the  coast  of  Brazil. 
During  this  year  our  men-of-war  and  privateers  captured  nearly 
300  English  vessels — a  year  of  blood  and  devastation  !    Horrid 
war  1 1  f 

1813. 

Jan.  17— The  English  frigate  Narcissus,  capta^d  the  U.  S.  brig  Vixen,  IV 
guns. 

"  18— A  detachment  of  U.  9.  troops,  under  Cols.  Lewis  and  Allen,  at- 
tacked Prenchtown,  (now  Monroe)  in  Mich.,  and  routed  the  Eng- 
lish troops  there. 

"  22— The  British  troops  and  Indians,  under  Gen.  Proctor,  attacked  the 
Americans  in  the  same  place,  who  surrendered  upon  conditions, 
which  were  basely  violated  by  the  English. 

"  23 — George  Clymer,  of  Pa.,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Dec.  of  In- 
dependence, died. 

Feb.  8 — The  United  States  government  borrowed  $16,000,000  to  carry  on 
the  war. 

»  24 — Naval  battle  off  the  coast  of  Demarara,  between  the  U.  S.  sloop 
of  war  Hornet,  Capt.  Lawrence,  and  the  British  brig  Peacock, 
which  was  sunk  in  fifteen  minutes. 

Mar.  U — The  Delaware  River  blockaded  by  several  English  ships. 
April  19— Benj.  Rush,  of  Pa.,  a  celebrated  Physician  and  Statesman,  and 
one  of  the  signers  of  the  Dec.  of  Independence,  died. 

"    27 — The  Americans,  under  Gen.  Pike,  capture  York,  (now  Toronto) 

Canada,  with  a  large  quantity  of  public  property. 

May  1— The  British  Gen.  Proctor  attacked  Fort  Meigs,  Ohio,  commanded 
by  Gen.  Harrison. 

"     5 — Gen.  Celay's  troops  attacked  the  besiegers  and  dispersed  them,  but 

»     8 — while  in  pursuit,  were  themselves  captured. 

"  20— The  U.  8.  frigate  Congress,  Capt.  Smith,  captured  the  English 
brig  Jean ;  and  on  the  22d,  the  brig  Diana,  of  10  gnus. 

"  27 — The  English  troops,  under  Sir  George  Provost,  attack  Sackett's 
Harbor,  N.  Y..  but  were  repulsed ;  and,  on  the  same  day,  the 
Americans  took  Fort  George,  on  the  Niagara  river. 

June  1 — The  U.  S.  frigate  Chesapeake,  Capt.  Lawrence,  was  captured  by 
the  British  frigate  Shannon,  after  a  terrible  and  blood  v  battle— 
Capt.  Lawrence,  and  almost  every  officer  on  board,  was  killed. 

"  20 — The  English  make  an  attack  on  Oswego,  N.  Y.,  but  were  re- 
pulsed. 

"    25 — The  British  Admiral,  Cockburn,  ordered  the  village  of  Hampton, 

Va.,  to  be  pillaged. 
July  31— Pittsburgh,  N.  Y.,  taken  by  the  British. 

•'    "  — Com.  Ohauncey  took  York,  Upper  Canada,  and  carried  off  the 

stores  of  the  English  army. 

Aug.  2 — The  English  attack  our  fort  at  Sandusky,  Ohio,  bat  were  bravely 
repulsed  by  the  Americans,  under  Major  Crogan. 

"  " — Congress  laid  a  direct  Tax  of  $3,000,000,  and  apportioned  it 
among  the  several  States.  This  was  done  to  support  the  war  with 
England  at  this  time. 

"  12 — Samuel  Osgood,  for  a  time  Postmaster  General,  died,  aged  65. 


CHRONOLOGY.  477 

Aug.  13— The  British  ship  Alert  attacked  the  U.  S.  frigate  Essex,  but  struck 
her  colors  in  eight  minutes. 

"  14 — The  U.  S.  brig  Argus  was  captured,  after  a  severe  battle  -with  the 
British  brig  Pellican. 

"  30 — A  party  of  Creek  Indians  capture  Fort  Minis,  in  Ala.,  and  massa- 
cre nearly  300  men,  -women  and  children. 

Sept.  5 — The  British  brig  Boxer,  after  a  fight  of  forty  minutes,  surrendered 
to  the  American  brig  Enterprise,  on  the  coast  of  Maine, 

"  10 — Battle  on  Lake  Erie  between  nine  U.  S.  vessels,  commanded  by 
Coin.  Perry,  and  a  squadron  of  six  English,  commanded  by  Com. 
Barclay,  all  of  which  surrendered  to  Com.  Perry. 

'*    27 — (Jen.  Harrison  took  Maiden,  in  Upper  Canada,  evacuated  by  the 

English  un'Jer  Gen.  Proctor. 

Oct.  5— Battle  of  the  Thames,  (Upper  Canada)  eighty  miles  from  Detroit. 
Here  the  great  Indian  Chief,  Tecumseh,  who  was  confederate  with 
the  English,  was  slain.  Gen.  Harrison  commanded  the  U.  States 
troops,  and  Gen.  Proctor  the  British,  who  were  nearly  all  killed 
or  taken  prisoners. 

"    25 — Battle  between  the  U.  S.  frigate  Congress,  Capt.  Smith,  and  the 

British  ship  Rose,  which  was  destroyed. 

Nov.  3— Col.  Coffee  attacked  200  of  the  Cieek  Indians,  and  killed  every 
one  of  them  in  retaliation  for  what  they  had  done  at  Fort  Mima. 
A  number  of  battles  with  the  Creeks  followed  this,  during  this  and 
the  next  year,  and  in  Jan.  1814,  in  which  nearly  all  their  warriors 
were  killed,  and  thus  ended  the  Creek  war. 

"    11 — Battle  at  Williamsburgh,  Canada.    American  loss  300 ;  English 

less  than  200. 

Dec.  13 — Congress  laid  an  Embargo  on  all  ships  and  vessels  in  all  the  ports 
of  the  United  States.  This  was  to  cut  oft  all  trade  with  England. 

"  19— Fort  Niagara  captured  by  the  British,  with  250  men  and  25  can- 
non ;  and.  on  the  same  day,  Lewiston  and  Tuscarora  Villages,  N. 
Y.,  were  burnt  by  the  Indians. 

"    30— Buffalo  and  Black  Bock,  burnt  by  the  British. 

1814. 

Mar.  24— Congress  authorize  the  President  to  borrow  $25,000,000,  to  carry 

on  the  war  with  England. 
"  28 — The  U.  8.  frigate  Essex,  Capt.  Porter,  was  captured  in  the  harbor 

of  Valparaiso  by  two  British  men-of-war. 

April  24— The  British  took  Washington,  and  burnt  the  public  buildings. 
"     23— Batt  e  between  the  U.  S.  sloop-of-war  Peacock,  and  the  English 
man-of-war  Epervier,  which  was  captured  with  $118,000  in  money. 
May   6— The  English,  under  Gen.  Drummond,  attacked  Oswego,  N.  Y. ; 

the  Americans  had  to  retreat. 

June    9— The  U.  S.  brig  Uattie  Snake,  Lieut.  Renshaw,  captured  the  Brit- 
ish brig  John. 
"    28 — The  sloop  of  war  Wasp,  Capt.  Blakeley,  captured  the  British 

sloop  Reindeer,  in  nineteen  minutes. 
July    3— The  Americans  take  Fort  Erie  from  the  English. 
"     4— Battle  of  Chippewa,  in  Canada.    U.  S.  troops,  under  Gen.  Scott, 

victorious. 

M  24 — Battle  of  Bridgewater,  (or  Lun-Jy's  Line)  near  Niagara  Falls- 
Gen.  Scott,  commanding  U.  8.  forces,  was  victorious. 


478  CHRONOLOGY. 

Aug.    3— The  British  crossed  Niagara  River  to  attack  Buffalo,  but  were  r» 

pulsed  by  250  riflemen,  under  Morgan. 
«     8— First  meeting  of  U.  S.  and  English  Commissioners  at  Ghent,  (i<\ 

Belgium)   to  treat  for  Peace,  and  a  Treaty  was  concluded  and 

signed  on  the  24th  Dec.  following. 

'•      9-10-11— Stonintrton.  Conn.,  bombarded  by  the  British. 
"    15 — The  British  attack  Fort  Eric,  but  were  severely  repulsed  by  Gen. 

Gaines,  who  commanded  ths  U.  S.  troops,  with  a  loss  of  nearly 

1,000  men. 
«<    25 — Washington  evacuated  by  the  British  troops  under  command  of 

Gen.  Ross  and  Admiral  Cockburn. 
"    30 — Alexandria.  Va.,  capitulated  to  the  British  army,  and  delivered 

up  the  public  property  and  shipping,  to  save  the  city  from  being 

burnt. 
Sept.    1 — The  fj.  S.  sloop  of  war  Wasp,  Capt.  Blakeley,  fell  in  with  ten 

British  vessels,  convoyed  by  a  74-gun  ship— Capt.  13.  sunk  one  and 

burnt  another. 
<«      6-11— Battle  of  Pittsburgh,  or  Lake  Champlaine — for  it  was  on 

both  land  and  water — Com.  McDonough  commanding  the  Ameri- 
can fleet,  and  Com.  Downie  the  English,  whose  loss  was  nearly 

2.500  men. 
"    12-13-14—  Battles  three  days  in  succession,  near  Baltimore,  one  of 

which  is  called  the  battle  of  Baltimore,  and  the  other  the  battle  of 

Fort  McHenry — Gen.  Ross,  the  English  commander,  was  killed  the 

flrst  day. 

Kov.    7 — Pensacola  (Fla.)  taken  by  Gen.  Jackson. 
"    23 — Eibridge  Gerry,  of  Mass.,  once  Vice-President,  died. 

In  Dec.,  of  this  year,  the  celebrated  Hartford  Convention  met. 

1815. 

Jan.  8 — Battle  of  New  Orleans — Gen.  Jackson  commanding  the  U.  States 
troops.  6,0i10  in  number;  (Jen.  Parkenham  the  English,  12,000  in 
number.  Parkenham  and  700  of  his  officers  and  men  were  slain, 
and  1,000  wounded ;  and,  astonishing  to  say,  only  seven  Ameri- 
c;iD3  were  killed  and  six  wounded.  This  closed  the  second  war 
with  England  on  the  land ;  yet  there  were  a  number  of  naval  bat- 
tles after  this,  because  the  iiewg  of  peace  was  not  heard  in  time  to 
prevent  thum. 

"  15 — The  U.  S.  frigate  President,  Com.  Decatur,  was  captured  by  four 
English  ships,  after  a  chase  of  eighteen  hours. 

Feb.  11 — Fort  Boyer,  at  Mobile,  with  a  garrison  of  375  men,  surrendered 
to  5,000  English  troops,  under  Lambert,  with  a  fleet  of  thirteen 
ships. 
"    18— The  Treaty  of  Peace  concluded  at  Ghent,  Dec.  24,  1314,  ratified 

by  the  U.  8.  Senate. 
"    24 — The  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  was  authorized  by  Congress  to  is 

sue  $'25,000.000  in  Treasury  notes. 

«'  28 — Battle  between  the  U.  S.  frigate  Constitution,  Capt.  Stewart,  and 
the  English  frigate  Cyane.  and  sloop  Levant,  ami  both  of  them 
were  captured  by  the  Constitution,  off  the  island  of  Madeira. 

Mar.  3 — Congress  declares  war  against  Algiers,  in  Africa;  and  during 
this  month  the  U.  S.  frigate  Hornet  captured  the  British  brig  Pan- 
guin,  off  the  coast  of  Brazil. 


COEONOLOGY.  4:79 

May  3— James  McHenry,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Dec.  of  Independence, 
died  at  Baltimore. 

June  17 — Com.  Decatur,  in  the  Mediterranean  sea,  captured  an  Algerian 
frigate  of  46  guns.  A  Treaty  was  thereupon  negotiated  between 
the  United  States  and  Algiers ;  after  which,  these  piratical  bar- 
barians behaved  themselves. 

"  30— The  U.  S.  vessel  Peacock  had  a  fight  with  the  British  ship  Nau- 
tilus, which  surrendered  in  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes.  This  took 
place  in  the  Straits  of  Lunda. 

1816. 

In  this  year  the  second  U.  S.  Bank  was  chartered,  with  a  capital 
of  $35.000,000.  to  continue  twenty  years. 

Indiana,  (a  part  of  the  Great  North- Western  Territory,)  was  ad- 
mitted as  a  State  this  year— making  the  19th  State. 
Nov.   5— Governeur  Morris,  an  eminent  statesman,  died  at  Morrissania, 

near  New  York. 

1817. 

Mar.  3— By  a  law  passed  this  day,  all  American  citizens  were  enjoined  to 
observe  our  Neutrality  Laws,  and  forbidden  from  rendering  any 
aid  to  any  nation  who  was  at  war  with  any  other  nation  which  was 
at  peace  with  us. 

.  "      4— James  Monroe,  the  fifth  President,  inaugurated. 
June  24— ,Thomas  McKean,  of  Del.,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Dec.  of  Inde- 
pendence, died. 

December— The  Mississippi  Territory  was  divided,  nnd  the  western  part 
admitted  as  a  State,  making  the  20th  ;  and  the  eastern  part  orga- 
nized into  a  Territorial  government,  by  the  name  of  the  Territory 
of  Alabama. 

In  the  latter  part  of  this  year,  the  Creek  and  Seminole  Indiana 
committed  depredations  in  Georgia  and  Alabama,  when  Gen- 
erals Gaines  and  Jackson  were  sent  to  subdue  them. 


1818. 

May  24 — Gen.  Jackson  took  Pensacola,   (Fla.)  from  the  Spaniards,  end 
sent  the  authorities  to  Havanna.    This  was  done  during  his  camp- 
aign against  the  Seminole  and  Creek  Indians. 
"  25 — Gen.  Mitchell,  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  died. 
Dec.    3 — Illinois  admitted  into  the  Union— making  the  21st  State. 
"   10 — Mississippi  admitted  as  a  State,  by  Eesolution  of  both  Houses  of 
Congress. 

1819. 

Mar.    2— Arkansas  formed  into  a  Territorial  government. 

Dec.  14 — Alabama  admitted  into  the  Union— making  the  22  d  State. 


480  OKEONOLOQT. 

1820. 

Feb.  15— Wm.  Ellery,  of  Rhode  Island,  a  signer  of  the  Dec.  of  Independ- 
ence, died. 

Mar.  15— Maine  admitted  into  the  Union— making  the  23d  Statn. 
Aug.  23 — Com.  Perry,  the  liero  of  the  battle  on  Lake  Erie,  died  of  yellow 

fever  at  Trinidad.  West  Indies,  on  his  birth-day. 
October— Florida  ceded  by  Spain  to  the  United  States  for  $5,000,000. 

The  question  of  the  admission  of  Missouri  as  a  free  or  Slave  State, 
greatly  agitated  the  country  this  year.  The  famous  "  Mis- 
souri Compromise''  settled  the  question. 

1821. 

Mar.    4 — James  Monroe  inaugurated  upon  his  second  term  of  the  Presi- 
dency, and  D.  D.  Tompkins  upon  his  second  term  of  the  Vice- 
Presidency. 
"  22— Com.  Stephen  Decatur  died  at  Washington. 

July    1 — Gen.  Jackson  took  possession  of  Florida. 

Aug.  4— Wm.  Floyd,  of  New  York,  a  signer  of  the  Dec.  of  Independence, 
died. 
Missouri  was  admitted  this  year — making  the  24th  Stats. 

1822. 

Mar.  7 — Congress  again  apportion  the  Representatives  in  Congress 
among  the  several  States,  based  on  the  census  of  1820.  By  this 
act  the  Ratio  of  Representation  was  fixed  at  one  representative  to 
40,000  persons. 

"  30 — Florida  was  formed  into  a  Territorial  government. 
May   5_Thomas  Truxton,  a  distinguished  Naval  officer,  both  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary war  and  in  our  short  war  with  France,  died. 
"    8 — Gen.  Stark,  a  prominent  officer  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  died. 
Oct.  27 — William  Lowndes,  a  distinguished  statesman  of  South  Carolina, 
died  at  sea. 

Daring  this  year  gangs  of  pirates  infested  the  West  Indies,  com- 
mitting depredations  upon  our  commerce,  when  the  United 
States  government  sent  a  naval  force  to  destroy  them.  It 
captured  over  twenty  piratical  vessels. 

1823. 

This  year  Com.  Porter  broke  up  and  dispersed  the  remainder  of 
the  piratical  gan^s  in  the  West  India  Islands,  who  had  with- 
stood the  onslaught  which  our  government  had  made  upon 
them  last  year. 

1824. 

Mar.  13— A  Convention,  at  which  the  United  States  and  England  were  re 
presented,  was  held  for  the  purpose  of  adopting  measures  tc 
suppress  the  slave  trade. 


CHRONOLOGY.  481 

April— United  States  and  Russian  Commissioners  met  to  settle  the  North- 
Western  boundaries  between  the  two  countries. 
Aug.  2  i— Lafayette  arrived  from  France,  and  made  a  tour  through  the 

country. 

Oct.  29 — Charles  Pincloiey,   of   South  Carolina,   an  eminent  orator  and 
statesman,  and  one  of  the  framers  of  the  Constitution,  died. 
The  tenth  Presidential  election  took  place  in  the  fall  of  this  year, 
but  there  was  no  choice  by  the  people,  and  the  election  went 
to  the  House  of  Representatives,  when  John  Q.  Adams  waa 
elected. 


Mar.    3— An  act  to  establish  a  Xavy  Yard  on  the  coast  of  Florida,  passed. 

"      4 — John  Quincy  Adann,  the  sixth  President,  inaugurated. 
June  11 — Daniel  D.  Tompkins,  of  New  York,  and  ex- Vice-President,  died. 
Nov.  10 — Com.  McDonough,  who  commanded  the  U.  8.  fleet  at  the  battle 

of  Pittsburgh,  on  Lake  Champlaine,  in  1814,  died  at  Middletown, 

Conn. 

1826. 

July  4 — John  Adams,  aged  91,  and  Thomas  Jefferson,  both  of  whom  had 
been  Presidents  of  the  United  States,  and  both  signers  of  the  Dec. 
of  Independence,  died. 

1827. 

We  find  nothing  in  the  history  of  the  United  States  worthy  of  par- 
ticular notice  during  this  year.  We  were  at  peace  "with  all 
the  world  and  the  rest  of  mankind :"  there  was  very  little  po- 
litical excitement,  and  the  country  was  prosperous  and  happy 
under  the  good  administration  of  Good  President  John  Quincy 
Adams. 

1828. 

Feb.  11— De Witt  Clinton  died,  while  in  the  office  of  Governor  of  New  York. 

A  new  protective  tariff  was  enacted  this  year,  with  a  view  to  en- 
courage American  manufactures. 

The  eleventh  Presidential  election  took  place  in  the  autumn  of 
this  year,  and  resulted  in  the  choice  ol  Andrew  Jacksou. 

1829. 

Jan.  29— Timothy  Pickering,  Secretary  of  State  under  Washington  and 

Adams,  died. 
Feb.  29 — The  Virginia  House  of  Delegates  pass  a  Resolution,  denying  the 

right  of  Congress  to  pass  the  tariff. 
Mar.    4 — Andrew  Jackson,  the  seventh  President,  inaugurated,  and  John 

C.  Calhoun  enters  upon  his  second  term  as  Vice-President. 


4:82  CHEOXOLOGT. 

May  19 — A  Treaty  of  peace,  friendship,  commerce  and  navigation,  be 
tween  the  United  States  and  Brazil,  ratified  at  Washington. 

May  17— John  Jay  died  at  Bedford,  N.  Y.  He  was  one  of  the  Presidents  of 
the  Continental  Congress.  Minister  to  Spain,  and  to  England,  GOT- 
ernor  of  New  York,  and  Chief  Justice  of  the  United  Stat.-s. 

June  4— Tne  U.  S.  frigate  Fulton  blown  up  at  the  Navy  Yard,  Brooklyn — 
26  lives  lost. 

Ang.  It — Mr.  McLane,  Minister  to  England,  and  Mr.  Rives.  Minister  to 
France,  embark  in  the  U.  S.  frigate  Constitution,  at  New  York. 

Nov.  26 — The  Hon.  Bushrod  Washington,  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  U.  States 
Supreme  Court,  died. 

1830. 

May    7 — A  Treaty  signed  at  Constantinople,  between  the  United    States 
and  Turkey,  by  which  the  U.  States  obtained  tb.3  free  navigation 
of  the  Black  Sea. 
"  29— The  office  of  Solicitor  of  the  Treasury  created  by  Act  of  Congress. 

Aug.  4— (Jen.  Philip  Stuart,  an  officer  of  the  Revolution,  died  at  Wash- 
ington. 

1831. 

Jan.  10 — The  disputed  Northern  boundary  line,  between  the  Unitsd  States 

and  England,  settled  by  the  King  of  the  Netherlands,  to  whom  tha 

matter  had  been  referred. 

April  19— Dissolution  of  President  Jackson's  Cabinet. 
July   4— -lames  Monroe,  the  fifth  President  of  the  United  States,  died  at  N. 

York,  aged  73. 
Aug.  25 — An  Eulogy  on  James  Monroe,  delivered  at  Boston,  by  John 

Quincy  Adams. 
Sept.  26 — The  National  Anti-Masonic  Convention,  at  Baltimore,  nominate 

William  Wirt  for  President. 

Oct    1— A  Free-trade  Convention  meet  at  Philadelphia. 
"  26— A  Tariff  Convention  of  over  500  delegates  meet  at  New  York,  and 

adopt  a  memorial  to  Congress. 
Nov.    6— Gen.  Philip  Van  Courtlandt,  an  officer  of  the  Revolutionary  war, 

died  at  New  York,  aged  82. 
Dec.  14 — The  National  Republican    Party  assembled  at  Baltimore,   and 

nominated  Henry  Clay  for  President. 

1832. 

Jan.  25— The  Senate,  by  the  casting  vote  of  the  President,  refuse  to  con- 
firm the  nomination  of  Martin  Van  Buren  as  United  States  Minister 
to  Enarland. 

Mar.  3— The  United  States  Supreme  Conrt  decide  that  the  Law  of  Georgia, 
by  which  several  Missionaries  to  the  Indians  in  that  State  were 
imprisoned  for  four  years  in  the  penitentiary,  was  contrary  to  tho 
laws  and  treaties  of  the  United  States,  and  therefore  null  and 
void. 


CHRONOLOGY.  483 

April"   1 — A  war  broke  out  between  the  United  States  and  the  Winnebago 

Indians,  called  the  Black  Hawk  war. 
"      2— Treaty  concluded  with  the  Creek  Indians,  by  which  they  sell  all 

thsir  lands  East  of  the  Mississippi  River  to  the  United  States. 
May    5 — The  Treaty  respecting  commerce,  navigation,  and  the  boundary 
line  between  the  United  States  aud  Mexico,  ratified  at  Wash- 
ington. 

"  21— (Join.  Rogers  died  on  board  his  ship  off  Buenos  Ayres. 
"   22 — Martin  Van  Buren  nominated  by  the  Democrats,  at  Baltimore,  foi 

Vice-President  of  the  United  States. 

"  27 — An  act  apportioning  the  Representatives  to  Congress,  based  on  th* 
fifth  census,  in  which  the  ratio  between  Representatives  and  po 
pu'ation  was  fixed  at  one  representative  to  47,700  people. 
Juno    1— Gen.  Thomas  Sumter,  an  officer  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  died 

in  South  Carolina. 
July    9— The  office  of  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs,  created  by  Act  of 

Congress. 
"  10— An  Act  to  establish    Naval    Hospitals  at  Charlestown,  Mass., 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  Pensacola,  Fla.,  passed. 
"  " — President  J^ck^on  vetoed  the  Bill  re-chartering  the  United  States 

Bank. 

Aug.  27— Black  Hawk,  the  celebrated  Indian  Chief  and  warrior,  captured. 
Nov.  12— The  Anti-Tariff  Convention  meet  at  Millegeville,  Geo. 
"    14— Charles  Carroll,  of  Carrollton,  Md.,  died.    He  was  the  last  surviv- 
ing signer  of  the  Dec.  of  Independence. 

"  19 — A  Convention  of  delegates  in  South  Carolina  meet  at  Columbia, 
and  pass  an  ordinance  declaring  the  laws  of  Congress,  in  relation 
to  the  Tariff,  unconstitutional  and  void. 

Dec.  10 — President  Jackson  issues  his  proclamation,  denouncing  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  South  Carolina  Convention,  and  warning  the  people 
of  that  State  of  the  consequences  of  following  its  dictates. 
"    18 — Treaty  of  commerce  and  navigation  concluded,  between  the  U. 

States  and  Russia,  at  St.  Peters  burgh. 
"    20— Gov.  Hay ne,  of  South  Carolina,  issues  a  proclamation  in  answer 

to  that  of  President  Jackson. 
"    23 — John  C.  Callioun,  the  Vice-President,  resigns  his  office. 

The  twelfth  Presidential  election  occurred  this  fall,  when  Andrew 
Jackson  was  re-elected. 


1833. 

Mar.    1 — The  new  tariff  bill  passed,  called  the  Compromise  Act. 
"     4 — Andrew  Jackson  inaugurated  upon  his  second  term. 
41   10— Com.  Samuel  Tucker,  of  Maine,  died. 
"  31 — The  Treasury  department  building  burnt  at  Washington. 
Jane  1— Oliver  Wolcott,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  under  Washington, 

died. 

July  27 — Com.  Ba'nKridge  died,  aged  60. 

Sept.  23 — Wm.  J.  Duane,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  was  removed  from  his 
office  by  President  Jackson,  because  he  declined  to  remove  the 
United  States  deposits  from  the  U.  S.  Bank  ;  and  Roger  B.  Taney, 
of  Md.,  was  appointed  in  his  place,  who  removed  them  on  the  1st 
of  October. 


484  CHRONOLOGY. 


1834. 

t'ar.  23— The  United  States  Senate  passed  a  vote  of  censure  of  President 
Jackson,  for  removing  the  Government  deposits  from  the  United 
States  Bank. 

Sept.  15 — Wm.  H.  Crawford,  of  Georgia,  died.  He  was  an  eminent  states- 
man, and  a  candidate  for  the  Presidency  in  1824. 

1835. 

Jan.    1— Hugh  L.  White  nominated  for  President  of  the  United  States  by 

the  Legislature  of  Alabama. 

"  31— Daniel  Webster,  nominated  for  the  same  office,  by  the  Legislature 
of  Massachusetts. 

Mar.  3 — By  act  of  Congress  three  branch  Mints  were  established  ;  one  at 
New  Orleans ;  one  at  Charlotte,  N.  C.,  and  one  at  Dahlohnega, 
Georgia. 

May  14— A  Treaty  concluded  with  the  Cherokee  Indians,  in  which  they 
agreed  to  sell  all  their  lands  East  of  the  Mississippi  Hiver  fur 
$5,262,251,  and  retire  to  the  Indian  Territory  West  of  the  Mississ- 
ippi River. 

"  20 — A  Convention  of  the  Democratic  party  met  at  Baltimore,  and 
nominated  Martin  Van  Buren  for  President. 

July   6— Chief  Justice  John  Marshall  died,  aged  80. 

Aug.  30— Wm.  T.  Barry.  Postmaster  General  under  Gen.  Jackson,  died  at 
Liverpool,  on  his  way  to  Spain,  as  U.  S.  Minister. 

Dec.  28 — Battle  of  Tampa  Bay,  Fla.,  between  a  Company  of  110  U.  States 
troops  under  Major  Dade,  when  all  but  three  of  his  men  were  kill- 
ed. About  the  same  time  another  battle  with  the  Indians  was 
fought  at  Withlacoochie,  Fla.,  and  forty  of  them  were  slain.  In 
this  and  the  following  year,  the  Semi'nole  war  raged  in  Florida. 
The  Indians,  under  their  Chief  Osceola,  were  finally  driven  out  of 
their  country,  and  across  the  Mississippi  river.  This  war  cost  the 
United  States  $15.000,000— three  times  the  money  originally  paid 
for  Florida. 

1836. 

Jan.  20 — A  treaty  of  peace,  friendship,  and  navigation  concluded  between 

the  United  States  and  Venezuela,  at  Caraccas. 

February— The  U.  States  Bank  was  chartered  by  the  Legislature  of  Penn- 
sylvania. 

April  20 — Wisconsin  organized  into  a  Territorial  government. 
May    23— Edward  Livingston,  Secretary  of  State  under  President  Jackson, 

died. 

Jane  15— Michigan  admitted— making  the  2.jth  State. 
"    "  — Arkansas  admitted— making  the  26th  State. 
"    23 — State  Banks  made  the  depositories  of  the  United  States  monies, 
instead  of  the  U.  S.  Bank ;  and,  by  the  same  act,  the  surplus  funds 
of  the  Government  were  loaned  to  the  several  States  in  proportion 
to  their  represent itives  in  Congress. 
"    28 — James  Madison,  ex- President  of  the  United  States,  died,  aged  86. 


CHBONOLOGY.  435 

July    4 — The  office  of  Commissioner  of  Patents  created. 
Sept.  14— Aaron  Burr,  ex-Vice-President  of  the  U.  States,  died,  aged  81. 
Dec.  15— The  General  Post  Office,  the  Patent  Office,  and  the  Washington 
Post  Office  burnt — 7,000  models,  163  large  folio  volumes  of  records, 
9.000  valuable  drawings,  and  10,000  original  descriptions  were  de- 
stroyed. 

During  this  year,  in  addition  to  the  war  with  the  Seminole  Indiana, 
the  United  States  were  at  war  with  the  Creek  Indians,  in  Geo., 
but  it  was  terminated  this  year. 

The  thirteenth  Presidential  election  in  the  autnmn  of  this  year,  and 
Martin  Van  Buren  was  elected. 

1837.      , 

Jan.  16— The  United  States  Senate  passed  a  Resolution,  24  to  19,  to  ex- 
punge from  its  records  (by  drawing  black  lines  around  it,)  the  He- 
solution  passed  March  28,  1834,  viz.  :  that  the  President  (Jackson) 
in  the  late  Executive  proceedings,  in  relation  to  the  public  Reve- 
nue, had  assumed  authority  not  conferred  by  the  Constitution  or 
law,  but  deftgatory  to  both, 
liar.  4— Martin  Van  Buren  inaugurated  the  eighth  President. 

"  6— A  Treaty  was  signed  by  the  Seminole  Indians,  agreeing  to  emi- 
grate West  of  the  Mississippi  River,  but  through  the  influence  of 
their  Chief,  Osceola,  they  broke  it ;  after  which  he  was  seized  by 
Gen.  Jessup,  and  confined  in  Fort  Moultrie,  where  he  died. 
Sept.  29— By  Treaty  between  the  United  States  and  the  Sioux  Indians, 
they  sold  all  their  lands  East  of  the  Mississippi  River  (about  5,000,- 
000  acres.)  for  $1,000,000. 

Oct.  1 — The  Winnebago  Indians  did  the  same  thing  for  $1,500,000,  and 
agreed  to  move  West  of  the  Mississippi  River. 

"  12— Congress  authorize  the  issue  of  $10,000.000  Treasury  notes. 

"  25 — A  severe  battle  was  fought  with  the  Florida  Indians,  but  the  U.  S. 
troops,  under  Gen.  Taylor,  defeated  them. 

AH  the  Banks  in  the  United  States  suspended  specie  payment 
during  this  year,  which  greatly  embarrassed  the  Government ;  and 
the  President  called  an  extra  session  of  Congress,  which  passed  an 
act  to  issue  $10,000,000  of  Treasury  notes,  as  a  measure  of  relief. 

1838- 

Jan.  5 — President  Van  Bnren  issued  a  Proclamation  to  the  People  of  the 
United  States,  warning  them  not  to  violate  our  Neutrality  Laws, 
by  taking  part  in  the  Rebellion  of  the  Canadians  against  the  Eng- 
lish Government,  at  this  time. 

June  12 — Territorial  government  of  Iowa  organized. 

Aug.  19 — The  United  States  Exploring  Expedition  sailed  from  Hampton 

Roads,  Va.,  with  six  vessels,  their  officers,  and  a  corps  of  scientific 

men,  for  the  pmrpose  of  exploring  the  Arctic  Regions. 

Near  the  close  of  this  year  the  Cherokee  Indians,  of  Georgia,  com 

pleted  their  emigration  from  that  State  to  the  Indian  Ter« 

ritory,  West  of  the   Mississippi   River.    This  was  in   conse 


486  CHRONOLOGY. 

qnence  of  the  hostile  legislation  of  the  State  of  Georgia 
a>ainstthem.  The  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  had 
decided  these  laws  to  be  unconstitutional ;  but  this  decision 
was  disregarded,  and  the  Indians  were  driven  off.  "  Lo  !  the 
poor  Indian !" 

1839- 

In  the  early  part  of  this  year.  Gen.  Macomb  induced  the  Seminofe 
Indians  to  make  a  treaty  of  peace  with  the  United  States,  but 
they  were  treacherous,  and  many  murders  w^re  still  com- 
mitted. 

This  year  there  was -trouble  between  the  United  States  and  Eng-_ 
land,  respecting  our  N.  E.  Boundary  line.    For  the  settlement 
of  this  question,  see  July,  1842. 
Dee.   2 — Congress  assembled,  but  it  was  three  weeks  before  the  House 

was  organized. 

"    4— A  Wbig  Convention,  at  Harrisburch,  Pa.,  nominate  W.  H.  Har- 
rison as  their  candidate  for  President. 


1840. 

May    5 — A  Democratic  Convention  assembled  at  Baltimore,  and  nominated 

Martin  Van  Buren  as  their  candidate  for  the  office  of  President. 
June  30 — Congress  passed  the  Sub-Treasury  Act,  which  had  been  defeated 

in  1837. 

Dec.  19— Felix  Grundy,  U.  S.  Senator  from  Tennessee,  a  .very  prominent 
statesman,  and  zealous  friend  of  President  Jackson,  died. 
The  fourteenth  Presidential  election  arrives  this  fall,  when  the 
Whig  candidate,  Wm.  H.  Harrison,  was  elected.    This  was  the 
!3ost  exciting  election  ever  hald  in  th-j  country. 

1841. 

Jan.  II — Congress  abolish  imprisonment  for  debts  due  to  the  United  States 
wherever  it  was  abolished  by  the  State  laws. 

March  4 — William  II.  Harrison  inaugurated  the  ninth  President. 
•«    17 — The  President  called  (by  proclamation)  an  extra  session  of  Con- 
gress to  meet  on  the  31st  instant,  to  consider  the  subjects  of  the 
Revenue  and  Finances  of  the  country. 

Aprfl  4— William  H.  Harrison,  President  of  the  United  States,  died,  and 
John  Tyler,  the  Vice-President,  became  acting  President.  This 
was  the  first  time  such  an  event  had  happened. 

May  14 — Ac  ing  President  John  Tyler  had  issued  a  Proclamation  recom- 
mending this  day  to  be  observed  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  on 
account  of  President  Harrison's  death,  which  was  so  observed. 

June  25— Alexander  Macomb,  chief  in  command  of  the  United  States  army, 
died  at  Washington. 

July  21— Congress  authorize  the  President  to  borrow  $12,000,000  for  th« 
support  of  Government. 


CHRONOLOGY.  487 

Aug.  9 — The  Bub-Treasury  Act  repealed. 
"  18 — The  United  States  Bankrupt  Law  went  into  operation ;  but  it  was 

repealed  in  1843. 

"  16— The  President  vetoed  a  bill  to  charter  a  Uuited  States  Bank. 
Sept.  9 — He  vetoed  another  for  the  sama  purpose.    This  made  the  four- 
teenth time  the  vato  power  had  baen  used  ;  Washington  vetoed 
two  bills,  Madison  four.  Monroe  on3,  Jackson  five,  Tyler  two. 
"   10 — All  the  numbers  of  Tyler's  Cabinet,  except  Daniel  Webster, 
resigned. 

1842. 

June  25— Congress  again  apportion  the  Representatives  to  Congress  among 
the  States,  on  the  basis  of  the  sixth  Csnsus  (1840),  fixing  the  ratio 
of  one  Representative  to  70,603  people. 

July  23 — The  Bunker  Hill  monument  finished,  which  had  been  in  progress 
seventeen  years. 

In  July  the  Senate  ratified  the  treaty  which  had  just  been  nego- 
tiated by  Daniel  Webster,  for  the  United  States,  and  Lord 
Ashburton,  for  England,  in  relation  to  the  Northeastern  bound- 
ary between  the  U.  S.  and  the  British  possessions  in  North 
America. 
Aug.  14 — It  was  officially  announced  that  the  war  with  the  Indians  in 

Florida  had  ceased. 
"    2G— By  law  the  fiscal  year  of  the  United  States  Government  was  made 

to  commence  on  the  first  day  of  July  of  each  year. 
Oct.  2 — The  U.  S.  sloop  of  war  Concord,  lost  on  the  rocks  in  the  Mozam 

biqus  Channel. 

Nov.  26— Robert  Smith,  a  member  of  the  Cabinet  under  Jefferson  and  Madi- 
son, died  in  Baltimore,  aged  85. 

1843. 

March  3— Congress  make  an  appropriation  of  $30,000  to  enable  S.  P.  B. 
Morse  to  erect  an  experimental  telegraph  between  Washington  and 
Baltimore.  This  was  the  first  electrical  telegraph  in  the  world. 

March  3 — Com.  Porter,  of  the  United  States  navy,  but  at  this  time  Ameri- 
can Minister  to  Turkey,  died  at  Constantinople. 

April  1 — John  Armstrong,  a  prominent  officer  of  the  Revolutionary  war, 
and  Secretary  of  War  under  Madison,  died  at  Red  Hook,  N.  V. 

June     — In  this  month,  the  Dorr  Rebellion  broke  oat  in  R.  I. 

Aug.  26 — The  United  States  frigate  Missouri,  lying  at  anchor  at  Gibraltar, 
Spain,  took  fire  and  was  consumed. 

Dec.  18 — -imith  Thompson,  a  Judge  of  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court,  died  at 
Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  aged  76. 

1844. 

Feb.  28— A  very  large  wrought  iron  gun  burst  on  board  the  U.  S.  steamer 
Princeton,  while  firing  a  salute,  and  killed  Abel  P.  Upsher  (then 
Secretary  of  State)  and  a  nainbar  of  other  distinguished  gentlemen 
who  were  on  board. 

May  1— Henry  Clay,  nominated  for  President,  and  Theodore  Frelinghnysen, 
for  Vice-President,  by  a  Whig  Convention  assembled  at.  Baltimore. 


488  CHRONOLOGY. 

May  7 — Morgan  Lewis,  a  distinguished  officer  and  statesman  during  tho 

Revolution,  died  in  New  York. 

'•  27 — James  K.  Polk,  nominated  by  the  Democratic  party  assembled  at 
Baltimore,  for  President,  and  George  M.  Dallas,  for  Vice-Presideut. 

The  fifteenth  Presidential  election  occurred  during  the  Fall,  and 
resulted  in  the  election  of  Jas.  K.  Polk,  of  Tenn.,  against 
Henry  Clay,  of  Ky. 

1845. 

Jan.  16— The  treaty  made  by  Mr.  Cashing,  United  States  Minister  to  China, 
and  the  Chinese  Commissioners  ratified  by  the  United  States  Senate 
unanimously. 

"  23 — Congress  enact  that  hereafter  all  Presidential  elections  shall  be 
held  on  the  same  day  in  all  the  States,  viz.,  on  the  first  Tuesday 
after  the  first  Monday  in  November  in  each  year  when  such  election 
shall  be  held. 

"  23 — A  joint  resolution  to  annex  Texas  to  the  United  States  passed  the 
Hjuse  (it  hai  previously  passed  the  Senate),  by  a  vote  of  120 
to  98. 

March  1 — Texas  annexed  to  the  United  States  by  resolution  of  both  Houses 
of  Congress. 

<«      4— James  K.  Polk  inaugurated  the  tenth  regular  President. 

»      4— Florida  admitted  into  the  Union,  making  the  27th  State. 
June  18 — Andrew  Jackson  died. 

"    18 — A  joint  resolution  pissed  both  Houses  of  the  Texas  Congress, 

assenting  to  the  annexation  to  the  United  States. 

Sept.  10 — Joseph  Story,  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  United  States  Supreme 
Court,  and  one  of  the  most  able  of  American  jurists,  died, 
aged  66. 

Dec.  15 — A  resolution  offered  by  Mr.  Cass,  in  the  United  States  Senate, 
and  a  speech  made  by  him  caused  much  excitement,  as  they  por- 
tended a  war  with  England  about  ths  boundary  line  between 
Oregon  and  the  Northwestern  British  possessions.  It  was  this 
originated  the  democratic  saying  :  "  54.40  or  fight." 

"  24 — Texas  admitted  into  the  Union  as  a  State,  making  the  twenty- 
eighth. 

"  28 — Iowa,  having  complied  with  the  conditions  imposed  upon  her  by 
an  Act  of  March  3.  this  year  was  now  fully  admitted  into  the  Union, 
making  the  twenty-ninth  State. 


1846. 

March  28 — The  American  army,  3,500  strong,  nnder  Gen.  Taylor,  post 
themselves  on  ths  Itio  Grande,  opposite  Matamoras.  This  was  the 
immediate  cause  of  the  Mexican  war.  The  Mexicans  rightly  said 
this  was  an  invasion  of  their  territory. 

April  24— Hostilities  commence  between  the  United  States  and  Mexico. 
"     26— First  battle,  when  the  Mexicans  made  an  attack  on  sixty-thro* 
United  States  dragoons,  Capt.  Thornton,  who  surrendered,  with  a 
loss  of  16  men. 


CHRONOLOGY.  48  9 

May  8— Battle  of  Palo  Alto,  with  6,000  Mexicans  against  2,300  Americans, 

under  Gen.  Taylor.    Mexicans  whipped,  with  a  loss  of  100  men 

killed.     Americans  killed,  4  and  4'J  wounded.    Major  Ringold  was 

killed  at  this  battle. 
"   9 — Battle  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma.    The  Mexicans  again  defeated,  and 

their  Gen.  La  Vega  taken  prisoner.    Gen.  Taylor  commanded  the 

Unit  d  States  forces. 
"  12 — Congress  passed  an  Act,  declaring  that  war  existed  between  tha 

United  States  and  Mexico,  by  the  act  of  Mexico  (?)     Authorized  the 

raisiag  of  50,000    troops,  and   voted    $10,000,000    to    carry  ou 

the  war. 
"  13— President  Polk  issued    a    Proclamation   that  war    existed  with 

Mexico. 
July  6— Com.  Sloat,  of  the  United  States  navy,  took  Monterey,  ou  the 

coast  of  California,  and  issued  a  proclamation  that  that  country 

was  annexed  to  the  United  States. 

In  the  same  month  Com.  Stockton  took  San  Diego  from  the 

Mexicans. 
"    9— Congress  retrocede  the  county  of  Alexandria,  in  the  District  of 

Columbia,  back  to  Virginia. 
"  17— The  treaty  between  the  United  States  and  England  respecting  the 

boundary  line  between  Oregon  and  the  English  possessions  in 

North  America,  was  ratified  in  London. 
"  22 — Congress  authorize  the  issue  of  $10,000,000  treasury  notes.    By 

this  means  the  loan  above  mentioned  was  issued. 
"  30— Congress  pass  a  new  Tariff,  reducing  the  duties  on  imported  goods. 

This  is  known  by  the  "  Tariff  of  1846." 
Aug.  3 — President  Polk  vetoed  the  River  and  Harbor  Bill,  on  the  ground 

that  it  was  unconstitutional,  and  that  the  money  was  wanted  to 

carry  on  the  Mexican  war. 
"     8— He  also  vetoed  the  French  Spoliation  Bill,  on  the  ground  that  it 

had  not  been  sufficiently  considered  (it  had  been  only  forty  years 

before  Congress),  and  that  the  money  could  not  be  spared  in  time 

of  war. 
"   18 — Gen.  Kearney  took  peaceable  possession  of  Santa  Fe,  in  Mexico, 

and  issued  a  proclamation,  absolving  the  Mexicans  from  their  alle- 
giance to  the  Mexican  government. 
"   19— Com.  Stockton  declared  all  the  Mexican  ports,  south  of  San  Diego, 

in  a  state  of  blockade. 
"   22 — The  whole  of  California  was  at  this  time  in  the  military  possession 

of  the  United  States. 
Sept.  21,  22.  23,  24— Battle  of  Monterey  between  4,700  United  States  troops, 

under  Gen.  Taylor,  and  10,000  Mexicans,  under  Gen.  Ampudia.    On 

the  24th  an  armistice  of  eight  weeks  was  agreed  to,  when  the 

Mexicans  surrendered  the  city. 
Oct.  25— Tobasco  was  bombarded  by  the  Gulf  squadron,  under  Com.  Perry, 

and    all    the    Mexican  vessels    in   the    port   were    captured  or 

destroyed. 
Nov.  14— Com.  Connor  took  peaceable  possession  of  the  Mexican  sea  port, 

Tampico. 
Dec.  8 — The  United  States  brig  Somers  was  capsized  by  a  squall  off  Vera 

Cruz,  and  sank  in  ten  minutes,  with  a  losa  of  two  officers  and 

thirty-nine  men. 
„     "  25— Battle  of  Brazito,  near  El  Passo,  between  450  Americans,  nndei 

Col.  Douiphau,  and  a  body  of  Mexican  cavalry,  who  were  defeated. 


490  CHRONOLOGY. 

1847. 

Jan.  8— The  Mexican  Congress  voted  to  raise  $15,000,000  for  the  war  against 
the  United  .States,  by  a  mortgage  upon  or  a  sale  of  the  property 
of  the  clergy. 

Feb.  23— Battle  of  Buena  Vista,  with  4,759  Un-ted  States  troops,  under 
Gen.  Taylor,  and  from  17,000  to  22.000  Mexicans,  under  (ien.  Santa 
Anna,  who  was  defeated,  with  a  loss  of  1,500  men.  United  States 
loss  756. 

"    23— On  this  day,  ex-President  John  Quincy  Adams  died  at  Wash- 
ington. 

March  1 — Gen.  Kearney,  by  proclamation,  absolved  the  people  of  California 
from  their  allegiance  to  Mexico,  auJ  regarded  them  as  citizens  of 
the  United  States. 
•«      3 — Wisconsin  admitted  into  the  Union  by  Act  of  Congress,  which 

took  effect  on  the  29th  May,  1848.  making  the  thirtieth  State. 
"      0— Gen.  Scott   landed  with    12.000  men  at  Vera  Cruz.     On  the 
22d,  23d,  24th,  25th  and  26th  he  bombarded  the  city,  which  linally 
surrendered. 

April  18— Battle  of  Cerro  Gordo  ;  United  States  forces  under  Gen  Twiggs, 
Mexican  under  Gen  Santa  Anna,  who  was  defeated,  with  a  loss  of 
3.000  prisoners,  43  pieces  of  artillery,  and  5,000  stand  of  arms. 

Aug.  20— Cherubusco  (near  the  city  of  Mexico)  stormed  and  taken  by  GPU. 
Worth,  with  9,000  troops,  against  a  much  superior  force  of  Mexi- 
cans. 

Sept.  8 — Molino  Del  Key  stormed  and  taken  by  Gen.  Worth. 
"   13 — Chepultepec  (near  the  city  of  Mexico)  stormed  and  taken  by  the 
United  States  forces,  under  Gen.  Scott ;  and  on  the  14th  Sept.  he 
took  the  city  of  Mexico.    This  ended  the  Mexican  war. 
"  17— Gen.  Scott  imposed  acontribution  of  $150,000  en  the  city  of  Mexico 
for  the  protection  the  United  States  army  had  given  to  the  public 
property. 

Dec.  31 — The  several  Mexican  States  were  assessed  $3,000,000  for  the  sup 
port  of  the  American  army  while  it  held  the  country. 

1848. 

Feb.  2 — Treaty  of  peace  agreed  upon  between  the  United  States  and 
Mexico  at  Guadaloupe  Hidaigo  (a  small  city  four  miles  from  the 
city  of  Mexico).  By  this  treaty  Mexico  relinquished  all  claims  to 
Texas,  and  ceded  Upper  California  and  New  Mexico  to  th?  United 
States,  in  consideration  of  which  the  United  States  gave  Mexico 
$15,OUO.OOO,  and  assumed  Mexican  debts  owing  to  our  citizens  to 
the  amount  of  $3,500,000.  This  treaty  was  subsequently  ratified  by 
the  United  States  Senate,  10th  Marcu,  and  by  the  Mexican  govern- 
ment on  the  20th  May  following. 

March  31 — Congress  authorize  a  loan  of  $16,000,000,  to  pay  Mexico 
probably. 

June  7 — Gen.  Zachary  Taylor  nominated  at  Philadelphia  by  a  Whig  C^n- 

vention  for  Present,  and  Millard  Fillmore  for  Vice-President. 
"  22-23— A  convention  of  Democrats,  dissatisfied  with  the  nomination  of 
Lewis  Cass.  as  the  candidate  of  that  parly  for  President,  met  at 
Utica,  N.Y.,  and  nominated   Martin  Van  Buren  for  that   office. 


CnEONOLOGY.  401 

This  was  called  the  "  Free  Soil  Party,"  because  they  opposed  the 
extension  of  slavery. 

Aug.  14 — A  Territorial  Government  organized  for  Oregon. 

Nov.  7 — According  to  the  provisions  of  an  Act  of  Congress  previously 
passed,  all  the  States  vote  on  the  same  clay  for  President  and  Vice- 
President.  This  was  the  sixteenth  Presidential  election,  and 
resulted  in  the  choice  of  Gen.  Z.  Taylor,  the  Whig  candidate. 

1849. 

Jan.  26— The  ratification  of  the  Postal  Treaty  with  England  exchanged  at 

London. 
March  3 — Congress  ordered  Gold  Dollars  and  Double  Eagles  to  be  coined. 

A  Territorial  Government  organized  for  Minnesota. 
"      4 — Gen.  Z.  Taylor,  the  eleventh  President,  inaugurated. 
May  7 — Gen.  Worth,  of  the  United  States  army,  died. 
Aug.  12 — Albert  Gallatin,  a  distinguished  [Statesman,  and  Secretary  of  the 

Treasury  under  President  Jefferson,  died,  aged  83. 
Sept.     — The  people  of  California  form  a  Constitution,  prohibiting  slavery 

in  the  State,  preparatory  to  admission  into  the  Union. 
Deo.  31— The  House  of  Representatives  on  the  sixty-third  trial  elected 

Howell  Cobb.  of  Georgia,  Speaker.    His  competitor  was  R.  C. 

Wiuthrop,  of  Mass. 

1850. 

Jan.  21 — The  chiefs  of  the  Seminole  Indians  (of  Florida)  met  Gen.  Twiggs 
in  Council,  and  agreed  to  abandon  the  country  and  move  to  the 
West  of  the  Mississippi  river. 
Feb.  22 — The  original  manuscript  of  Washington's  Farewell  Address  sold 

in  Philadelphia  for  $2,300. 
July  9— President  Taylor  died,  and  Vice-President  Fillmore  became  acting 

President. 

Aug.  3 -Jacob  Joues,  an  eminent  naval  officer,  died,  aged  82, 
Sept.  9 — California  admitted  into  the  Union,  making  the  thirty-  first  State. 
"     9 — Utah  placed  under  a  Territorial  Government. 
"  12 — The  Fugitive  Slave  Law  passed.    This,  to  the  Northern  States, 

was  probably  the  most  offensive  act  ever  passed  by  Congress. 
'    20— The  slave  trade  abolished  in  the  District  of  Columbia  by  Act  of 
Congress. 
The  above  last  four  Acts  have  ever  since  their  passage  been  known 

as  the  ••  Compromise  Measures  of  1850.'' 
Nov.  19— Richard  M.  Johnson,  formerly  Vice-President,  Uied. 

1S51. 

March  3— By  Act  of  Congress,  postage  was  reduced  to  three  cents  on  all 

letters  not  weighing  over  haf  an  ounce,  and  for  all  distances  n«s 

exceeding  3,000  miles,  if  pre-pai  1,  but  to  five  cents  if  not  p>-e-paid. 

"        — John  C.  Calhoun,  of  South  Carolina,  aa  eminent  Siatssman,  en* 

onc«  Vice-president,  died. 


492  CHEONOLOOT. 

1852. 

June  28— Henry  Clay  died. 

July  3— A  branch  of  the  United  States  Mint  established  at  San  Francisco, 
Cal.,  by  Act  of  Congress. 

Oct.  24 — Daniel  Webster  died. 

Nov.  — In  this  month  the  seventeenth  Presidential  election  took  place, 
which  resulted  ill  the  choice  of  Franklin  Pierce,  the  Democratic 
candidate,  over  Gen.  Scott,  the  Whig  candidate. 

1853. 

March  2 — Washington  Territory  cut  off  from  the  Northern  part  of  Oregon, 

and  put  under  a  Territorial  Government  by  Act  of  Congress. 
"       4 — Franklin  Pierce  inaugurated  the  twelfth  regular  President. 

Aug.  11— President  Pierce  issued  a  proclamation  warning  citizens  of  the 
United  States  against  connecting  themselves  with  Lopez  against 
the  island  of  Cuba. 

1854. 

March  23 — A  treaty  of  Commerce  with  Japan,  negotiated  by  Com.  Perry, 
of  the  United  States  navy. 

May  19 — John  Davis,  a  Ssnator  from  Mass.,  and  an  eminent  orator  and 
statesman,  who  was  known  by  the  name  of  "  Honest  Johu  Davis," 
died. 

"  30 — The  Kansas  and  Nebraska  Bill  passed  in  Congress.  By  this  Act 
these  two  Territories  were  organized  under  Territorial  Govern- 
ments, and  in  the  14th  Section,  the  far-famed  "Missouri  Compro- 
mise "  Act  of  1820  was  repealed,  after  it  had  been  the  law  of  the 


land  thirty-four  years.    This  opened  afresh  the  old  slavery  discv 
siou,  and  brought  on  the  civil  war  * 


in  Kansas. 


1855. 

Feb.  24 — The  Court  of  Claims  established  jn  Washington  by  Act  of  Congress. 

1856. 

March  4 — The  Free  State  Legislature,  of  Kansas,  assembled  at  Topeka. 

"     20 — Com.  Connor  died. 
May  18 — John  C.  Spinner,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  under  Pierce,  died  at 

Albany,  N.Y. 

"  31 — John  M.  Niles,  Post-Master-General  under  Van  Buren,  died. 
Nov.    — In  this  month  the  eighteenth  Presidential  election  took  place, 
resulting  in  the  choice  of  James  Buchanan,  the  Democratic  candi- 
date, against  John  C.  Fremont,  the  Republican,  and  Millard  Fill- 
more,  the  American  candidates. 


CHRONOLOGT. 


1857. 


493 


Feb.  2— Nathaniel  Banks,  of  Mass., after  133  ballotings  (which  occupied  tho 
House  of  Representatives  from  the  3d  of 'December  of  the  last 
year  to  this  time),  was  elected  Speaker. 

March  4 — James  Buchanan  inaugurated  the  thirteenth  regular  President. 

July  — Wm.  L.  Marcy,  Secretary  of  War  under  President  Polk,  and 
Secretary  of  State  un  'or  President  Pierce,  died,  aged  71. 

1858. 

May  11— Minnesota  admitted  into  the  Union,   making  the  thirty-second 

State. 


Feb.  14— Oregon  admitted  into  the  Union,  -which  made  the  thirty  third 
State. 

1860. 

Nov.  6 — The    nineteenth  Presidential    election  occurred,  and  Abraham 

Lincoln,  the  Republican  candidate,  was  elected,  against  Stephen 

A.  Douglas,  John  C.  Breckenridge  and  John  Bell. 
Dec.  10— Howell  Cobb,  U.  S.  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  resigned,  and 

President  Buchanan  appointed  P.  P.  Thomas,  of  Maryland,  iu  his 

place. 
"    14 — Lewis  Cass,  United  States  Secretary  of  State,  resigned,  when  the 

President  nominated  Jeremiah  S.  Black,  of  Pa.,  in  his  place. 
"    20— South  Carolina  seceded  from  the  Government  of  the  United 

States.    This  was  the  first  act  of  Secession ;  but  ten  more  of  the 

slave  States  soon  followed  her  example  in  the  early  part  of  1861. 
"    23 — John  B.  Floyd,  Secretary  of  War,  robbed  the  Indian  Trust  Fund 

of  nearly  half  a  million  of  dollars. 
"    28— The  United  States  Arsenal,  Post-office,  and  Custom  House  at 

Charleston,  S.  C.,  seized  by  the  authorities  of  that  State. 
"    John  B.  Floyd,  Secretary  of  War,  resigned,  and  Joseph  Holt,  of  Kyv 

was  appointed  in  his  place  the  next  day. 

1881. 

Now  we  have  come  to  the  period  when  the  Great  Rebellion  of  the 
Southern  States  was  fairly  inaugurated.  A  number  of  events  had  occurred 
in  the  month  of  December  in  1860  which  foreshadowed  the  coming  storm, 
such  as  the  resignation  of  the  Southern  members  of  Mr.  Buchanan's  Cabi- 
net, and  of  Southern  Senators  and  members  of  Congress,  with  the  seizure 
of  property,  belonging  to  the  United  States,  in  Charleston,  &c.,  &c.  But 
hopes  were  still  entertained  of  a  pacification,  as  the  spirit  of  Rebellion  lia<! 
not  showed  itself  in  much  strength  outside  of  South  Carolina ;  but  this 
"smoking  flax"  ourst  into  a  consuming  flame  with  the  opening  of  this 


494.  CHRONOLOGY. 

year.  To  chronicle  all  the  events  of  this  most  terrible  war,  daring  the  fopr 
following  years,  would  require  a  volume  of  the  size  of  this  to  contain  them ; 
we  must  therefore  only  notice  the  most  important  of  them,  and  many  of 
these  we  shall  so  condense  as  to  preserve  the  facts  without  recording,  iri 
every  case,  the  day  of  the  month  on  which  they  occurred. 

January— During  this  month,  Fort  Macon,  at  Beanfort :  the  United  States 
works  at  Wilmington,  and  the  U.  S.  Arsenal  at  Taylorsville ;  Forts 
Caswell  and  Johnson,  in  North  Carolina ;  the  Forts  Pulaski  and 
Jackson,  and  the  Arsenal  at  Savannah,  Geo. ;  Fort  Morgan  and 
the  U.  S.  Arsenal  at  Mobile,  Ala. ;  Forts  St.  Philip  and  Jackson, 
Fort  Pike  and  the  U.  S.  Arsenal  at  Baton  Rouge,  in  Louisiana ; 
Fort  Barancus  and  the  U.  S.  Navy-yard,  Fla. ;  the  U.  S.  Arsenal  at 
Augusta,  Geo. ;  the  U.  S.  Custom-house  and  Mint  in  New  Orleans, 
were  all  seized  by  the  Rebels  in  the  States  where  they  stood. 
And  in  this  month  Florida,  Georgia,  Louisiana,  and  Mississippi, 
five  States,  all  passed  ordinances  of  Secession,  and  the  mem- 
bers of  Congress  from  Georgia,  Alabama  and  Mississippi  with- 
drew during  this  month. 

"    29— Kansas  admitted  into  the  Union  —making  the  34th  State. 
Feb.    1 — Texas  seceded  from  the  Union. 

"  4 — A  Peace  Convention,  with  delegates  from  eighteen  States,  as- 
semble at  Washington ;  and  on  the  same  day  a  Convention  from 
the  Seceded  States  assembled  at  Montgomery,  Ala.,  to  organize  a 
Confederate  Government. 

11  6 — John  Slidell  and  Judah  P.  Benjamin,  U.  S.  Senators  from  Lousi- 
ana.  withdrew  from  the  Senate. 

"  9 — Jeff.  Davis  and  Alex.  Stephens  chosen  President  and  Vice-Presi- 
dent of  the  Confederate  States  for  one  year. 

44  25— About  this  time  (Jen.  Twiggs,  in  command  of  the  U.  S.  troops  in 
Texas,  turned  traitor  to  his  government,  and  delivered  up  his  men 
to  the  Rebels  as  prisoners  of  war. 

"    28 — Colorado  organized  into  a  Territorial  government. 
March    2 — Dakota  and  Nevada  organized  into  Territorial  governments. 
"       4 — Abraham  Lincoln  inaugurated  the  fourteenth  regular  President 

of  the  United  States. 

"  5 — Gen.  Beaurcgard  takes  command  of  the  Rebel  forces  at  Charles- 
ton. 

"  6 — The  Senate  of  the  Confederate  States  confirm  Jeff  Davis'  nomi- 
nations of  the  members  of  his  Cabinet,  viz.,  for  Secretary  of  State, 
R.  Toombs,  of  Geo. ;  for  Secretary  of  Treasury.  C.  S.  Mominger,  of 
South.Uarolina;  for  Secretary  of  War,  L.  P.  Walker,  of  Ala. ;  for 
Secretary  of  Navy,  S.  R.  Mallory,  of  Fla. ;  for  Postmaster,  J.  11. 
Reagan,  of  Texas;  for  Attorney-General,  J.  P.  Benjamin,  of  La. 

«'  11 — The  Constitution  of  the  Confederate  States  adopted  in  Con- 
vention at  Montgomery,  Ala.,  wii.ch  was  ratified  afterwards  by 
the  several  Confederate  States. 

April  11 — Gen.  Eeauregard  demands  of  Major  Anderson  the  surrender  of 
Fort  Sumter,  which  was  refused. 

"  12 — Bombardment  of  Fort  Sumter  by  the  Rebels.  This  was  the  real 
commencement  of  the  great  Civil  War  between  the  North  aad 
South. 


CHRONOLOGY.  495 

Aptil  14 — Major  Anderson  and  his  men  leave  Fort  Sumter. 

'•     15— President  Lincoln  calls  for  7o,000  men  to  defend  Washington. 

"  17 — Virginia  secedes,  and  the  Governor  recognizes  the  act  by  pro- 
clamation. 

"  18— The  U.  S.  Arsenal  at  Harper's  Ferry  destroyed,  to  prevent  its 
falling  into  the  hands  of  the  Rebels. 

"  19 — A  Rebel  mob,  in  Baltimore,  attacked  the  Massachusetts  troops 
who  were  going  to  Washington,  in  obedience  to  the  President's 
call ;  and  the  Mayor  of  Baltimore  notified  the  President  that  no 
more  troops  should  pass  through  that  city. 

"  19 — The  President,  by  proclamation,  declares  the  ports  of  the 
Seceded  States  Blockaded. 

"  20— The  U.  S.  Mint  at  Charlotte.  N.  C..  seized  by  the  Rebels,  and  on 
the  same  day  the  railroads  in  Maryland  were  destroyed  and  bridges 
burnt.  On  the  same  day,  the  U.  S.  Navy-yard  at  Gosport,  Va., 
was  destroyed  by  the  men  having  it  in  charge,  to  prevent  its 
falling  into  the  hands  of  the  Rebels.  Property  lost  worth 
$25.000,000. 

"     26— Gov.  Brown,  of  Geo..  forbids  the  citizens  of  that  State  from  pay- 
ing their  debts  due  to  the  people  of  the  North. 
Jfay   3 — President  Lincoln  calls  for  82,714  additional  troops. 

"  C— Virginia  admitted  as  one  of  the  Confederate  States,  and  the  State 
of  Tennessee  passed  an  ordinace  of  Recession. 

"  10— Gen.  R.  E.  Lee  took  command  of  the  Rebel  troops  in  Virginia. 

"  15 — Tiie  Legislature  of  Massachusetts  ofler  to  loan  tke  U.  t>.  govern- 
ment $7,000.000  to  carry  on  the  war. 

"  21— North  Carolina  secedes  from  the  United  States. 

"  21— Rebels  blockade  the  Mississippi  River  at  Memphis. 

"  24— Col.  Ellsworth  shot  by  the  Rebel  Jackson. 

"  27—100  slaves  took  refuge  in  Fortress  Monroe,  and  Gen.  Butler  de- 
clared them  contraband  of  war. 

"  27— Mobile  blockaded  ;  Savannah  ditto,  on  the  next  day,  by  the  U.  S. 
bloc  %ading  squadron. 

"  31 — A  fight  of  two  hours  between  the  Union  gun-boata  at  Aqnia 

Creek  and  the  Rebel  batteries  at  that  place. 
Jnne    2— Battle  of  Philippa,  Va.    Rebels  defeated. 

«»      3— U.  S.  Senator  Douglas,  of  Ilinois,  died. 

"    10— Battle  of  Big  Bethel,  Va.    Union  troops  repulsed. 

"  14 — Rebels  evacuate  and  burn  Harper's  Ferry,  when  the  Union  forces 
occupy  the  place. 

"    17— A  Convention  of  Union  men  vote  the  independence  of  West 
•  Virginia — in  other  words,  that  part  of  Virginia  seceded  from  Old 

Virginia. 

"  18— Battle  of  Booneville,  Mo.  Rebels,  under  Gen.  Price,  routed  by 
the  Unionists  under  Gen.  Lyon. 

14  23 — Forty-eight  Locomotives  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad  Co. 
destroyed  by  the  Rebels.  % 

"    26 — President  Lincoln  recognizes  the  Wheeling  government  as  the 

government  of  Virginia. 

July   2— Battle  near  Martinsburgh,  Va.    Patterson,  Union,  defeated.    Gen. 
Jackson,  Confederate. 

"  5 — Congress  assembled,  and  the  President  called  for  400,000  men  and 
$40^,000.000  to  put  down  the  Rebellion. 

"  5— Battle  at  Carthage,  Mo.  Gen.  Siegel  commanded  the  Union,  and 
Gen.  Jackson  the  Rebel  forces. 


496  CHRONOLOGY. 

Ju'y  11— Battle  at  Rich  Mountain,  Va.    Union,  Gen.  Rosecrans.    Rebel, 
Gen.  Pegram,  who  was  defeated. 

"  11 — U.  8.  Senate  expelled  nine  Senators  from  the  Confederate  Statei 
for  treason. 

«<  13 — Battle  of  Carrickford,  Va.  Union,  Gen.  Morris.  F.ebel,  Garnett, 
who  was  killed. 

11  21— Battle  of  Bull  Run.  Union,  Gen.  McDowell.  Rebel,  Gen.  Beau- 
regard.  Union  troops  defeated  after  ten  hours  fighting,  yet  the 
Rebels  lost  the  most  men. 

"   25 — Gen.  George  B.  McClellan  took  command  of  the  Army  of  the 

Potomac. 

Aug.    2— Congress  pass  an  Act  for  raising  500,000  men,  and  $500,000,000  by 
tax  and  tariff. 

«<  7 — The  village  of  Hampton,  Va.,  burnt  by  the  Confederates,  to  pre- 
vent its  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  Unionists. 

"  10— Battle  of  Wilson's  Creek.  Union,  Gen.  Lyon,  killed— 2G3  troops 
killed,  and  421  Rebels.  Battle  lasted  six  hours. 

»  15—Jeff  Havis  ordered  all  Northern  men  to  quit  the  Confederate 
States  in  forty  days. 

"  16— President  Lincoln,  by  proclamation,  declared  all  commercial  in- 
tercourse with  the  Rebel  States  at  an  end. 

"    23 — The  Cherokee  Indians  join  the  Confederates. 

"  28 — Bombardment  and  capture  of  Forts  Hatteras  and  Clark,  N.  C.,  by 
the  combined  action  of  the  Army,  nnder  Gen.  Butler,  and  the 
Navy,  under  Com.  Stringham. 

"    31 — Gen.  Fremont  issued  a  proclamation  confiscating  the  property  of 
Rebels  in  Missouri,  and  also  freeing  the -slaves.    This  was  counter- 
manded by  the  President. 
Sept.    1— The  village  of  Boom  Court  House,  Va.,  burnt. 

"  12— Col.  John  A.  Washington,  of  the  Confederate  Army,  killed  while 
reconnoiterin?. 

"    12— Battle  of  Cheat  Mountain,  Va.    Rebels  defeated. 

•«    18— Some  of  the  members  of  the  Legislature  of  Maryland  arrested  and 

imprisoned  for  talking  treason. 
Oct.    3— Battle  of  Greenbrier,  Va.    Rebels  defeated. 

"  16 — The  U.  S.  troops  re-capture  Lexington,  Mo. 

"  16— Battle  of  Pilot  Knob.  Mo.    Rebels  defeated. 

"  21— Battle  of  Ball's  Bluff— which  was  a  severe  fight— the  Unionists  de- 
feated ;  Col.  Baker  killed,  with  918  men  killed  or  wounded. 

"  29— The  great  Naval  and  Military  force,  consisting  of  75  vessels,  (of  all 
sorts)  and  27,000  men,  sailed  from  Hampton  Roads,  Va..  and 
bound  South,  under  command  of  Com.  DuPont,  and  Gen.  T.  W 
Sherman. 

Nov.    1 — Gen.  Scott  retired  from  the  command  of  the  army,  with  full  pay ; 
and  Gen.  McClellan  took  his  place. 

"  1 — Confederate  Gen.  Floy  tried  to  capture  Gen.  Rosecrans  and  hia 
army,  at  Gauley,  Va.,  but  failed. 

"  4 — Houston.  Mo.,  taken  by  the  Union  troops,  who  captured  a  large 
amount  of  Rebel  property. 

"     4— A  part  of  the  Great  Naval  Expedition  arrived  at  Port  Royal,  S.  C. 

"  7— A  great  naval  battle  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  when  the  Rebel  Forts 
Beuuregard  and  Walker  were  captured. 

"     8 — Battle  of  Balmont,  Mo.    Great  slaughter  on  both  sides.  - 

"  8 — Mason  and  Slidell,  Rebel  Commissioners  to  Europe,  were  taken 
from  the  liritir-h  steamer  Trent,  by  the  U.  S.  ship  San  Jacinto,  bu* 


CHRONOLOGY.  497 

on  the  demand  of  the  English  government  they  were  given  up  to 
her. 

Nov.  10— The  village  of  Gnyandotte,  Va.,  burnt  by  Union  soldiers,  because 
some  of  them  had  been  murdered  by  the  inhabitants. 

"  20 — Thirty  old  whale  ships,  loaded  with  stone,  sailed  from  New  Lon- 
don and  New  Bedford,  to  be  sunk  in  the  channels  of  some  of  the 
Southern  sea  ports.  This  was  accomplished. 

Dec.  3-4 — Congrpssmen  Bennett,  of  Ky.,  Reed,  of  Mo.,  and  John  C.  Breck- 
enridge,  U.  S.  Senator  from  Ky,,  were  expelled  from  Congress  for 
treason. 

"  5— At  this  time  there  were,  as  shown  by  the  reports  of  the  Secre- 
taries of  War  and  of  the  Navy,  nearly  700,000  men  in  the  Army 
and  Navy  of  the  U.  States. 

'«    16— Platte  City,  Mo.,  burnt  by  the  Rebels. 

"  17 — More  than  twenty  stone  vessels  sunk  in  the  channels  to  the  har- 
bors of  Charleston  and  Savannah. 

"  31— At  the  close  of  this  year,  there  were  246  vessels  (of  all  kinds)  in 
the  U.  S.  navy,  carrying  22,000  men  and  nearly  2,000  guns. 


1862. 

Jan.    2 — Battle  on  Port  Royal  Island,  S.  C.    Confederates  driven  from  the 
Island. 

"  10 — A  fight  near  Prestonburgh,  Ky.,  between  Union  Gen.  Garfield,  and 
Rebel  Gen.  Humphrey  Marshall'.s  forces.  Marshall  defeated. 

"  10— Senators  Johnson  and  Polk,  of  Mo.,  expelled  from  the  U.  States 
Senate  as  traitors. 

"  12—125  vessels,  with  15,000  troops,  left  Fortress  Monroe  for  the  South, 
under  Com.  Goldsborough  and  Gen.  Burnside. 

"  13 — Simon  Cameron,  Secretary  of  War,  resigned,  and  Edwin  M.  Stan- 
ton,  of  Pa.,  was  appointed  in  his  place. 

"  18— John  Tyler,  of  Va.,  and  once  acting  President,  died. 

"  19 — Battle  of  Mill  Spring,  Ky.  Union  forces  under  Gen.  Thomas  com- 
pletely victorious  over  Gens.  Crittenden  and  Zollicoffer— the  latter 
was  killed.  Unionists  make  a  great  haul  of  provisions  and  arms. 

"  27 — Bishop  Ames,  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  Gov.  Fish,  of  New 
YorK,  appointed  to  visit  our  prisoners  at  Richmond  and  other 
places,  but  the  Rebels  would  not  allow  them  to  enter  their  line.-s. 
Feb.  4 — Congress  enact  that  the  names  of  every  person  who  had  taken  up 
arms  against  the  United  States  should  be  struck  from  the  pension 
rolls. 

"  5 — Jesse  D.  Bright,  of  Indiana,  expelled  from  the  U.  S.  Senate  for 
his  secession  sentiments. 

"  6 — The  Western  gun-boats  capture  Fort  Henry,  on  the  Tennessee 
River,  under  Com.  Foote.  Rebel  Gen.  Tiighman  taken  prisoner. 

"  8 — Great  battle  on  Roanoke  Island,  which,  with  all  its  fortifications 
and  guns,  were  captured,  together  with  over  2,500  Rebel  pris- 
oners. Gen.  Burnside  commanded  the  Union  forces. 

«»  10— Naval  battle  between  U.  8.  and  Rebel  gun-boats,  off  Elizabeth 
City,  N.  C.  All  but  one  of  the  enemy's  boats  captured. 

"  12— Gen.  Grant,  with  40,000  troops,  invests  Fort  Donnelson,  on  the 
Cumberland  River,  where  there  were  18,000  Rebel,  troops  under 
Geuls.  Floyd,  Pillow  and  Buckner.  The  fighting  continued  during 


498  CHEOSOLOGY. 

the  13th,  Uth,  15th  and  16th.  when  the  Fort  surrendered  to  the 
Uuion  forces,  with  13,300  prisoners  of  war,  3,000  horses,  43  gun^ 
and  20,000  small  arras. 

Feb.  13 — Congress  authorize  the  construction  of  twenty  iron  clad  gua- 
boats. 

"  is — Rebel  Congress  assembled  at  Richmond,  Va. 

"  19 — Jeff  Davis  and  Alexander  H.  Stevens  were  unanimously  elected 
President  and  Vice-President  of  the  Confederate  States  for  six 
years—? 

"  23 — Nashville  occupied  by  the  Union  forces. 

"  25 — Congress  authorize  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to  issue  $150,- 
000,000  of  United  States  notes,  (green  backs)  and  make  them  a  legal 
tender.  . 

JIar.    2 — A  battle  between  the  Union  gun-boats  and  the  Rebel  batteries,  at 
Pittsburgh  Landing,  Tenu.    Rebels  repulsed  with  great  slaughter. 

44     3 — (Jen.  Beauregard  took  command  of  the  Rebel  Army  in  Mississippi. 

44  4 — Congress  fix  the  number  of  Representatives  in  Congress  at  241 — 
based  on  the  census  of  1860. 

«  6-8— Battle  of  Pea  Ridge.  Union  Gen.  Curtis,  with  22.000  men. 
against  Benj.  McUuIlough  with  35,000  men— McC.  was  killed.  This 
battle  lasted  three  days. 

«»  8-9— The  Rebel  steamer  "  Merrimac,"  or  "  Virginia,"  with  four  gun- 
boats, attack  the  U.  S.  ships  lying  at  Hampton  Roads,  and  burnt 
and  sunk  several  of  them,  when  the  U.  S.  "  Monitor'1  cann  into  tho 
fight  and  very  soon  disabled  th'd  Merrimac.  This  was  the  first 
trial  of  iron  clads. 

"  14 — Battle  of  Newbern.  N.  C. ;  where  the  Unionists  found  an  iramenso 
amount  of  stores  and  ammunition.  Rebels  fled. 

14  23— Battle  of  Winchester,  Va.  Confederates  defeated  with  great  loss. 
April  6-7 — Battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing  or  Shiloh,  on  the  Tennessee  River  : 
the  Unionists  victorious — the  Rebel  Genl..  A.  S.  Johnson,  killed, 
and  3,00;)  of  his  men.  This  was  one  of  the  most  terrible  battles 
during  the  Rebellion,  and  would  have  been  lost  but  for  the  aid  of 
the  gun-boats.  Gen.  Grant  commanded  the  Union  forces,  and 
Gen.  Beauregard  the  Rebels.  100,000  men  were  in  the  battle,  and 
20.000  were  killed,  wounde  1  or  missing. 

44  11— Fort  Pulaski  bombarded  thirty-six  hours,  and  taken  by  General 
Hunter. 

41    16— Slavery  in  the  District  of  Columbia  abolished  by  act  of  Congress. 

"  18 — The  Union  Fleet  of  51  vessels,  under  Com.  Farragut  and  Porter, 
ascend  the  Mississippi  River  and  bombard  Forts  Jackson  and  St. 
Philip  six  days,  and  ran  past  them  on  their  way  to  New-  Orleans, 
where  they  arrived  on  the  2>th,  when  Com.  Farragut  demanded 
the  surrender  of  the  city,  which  was  done. 

"    21— A  branch  Mint  established  at  Denver,  in  Colorado,  by  Act  of  Con- 
gress. 
May   1 — '251  Union  Cavalry  captured  at  Pulaski,  Tenn. 

"  4 — Yorktown,  Va.,  evacuated  by  the  Rebels,  and  occupied  by  the 
Union  forces. 

"  5— Battle  of  Williamsburgh,  Va.,  lasting  all  day—  Confederates 
routed. 

"  10 — Norfolk,  Va.,  surrendered  to  the  Union  troops. 

44   11— Rebels  burn  their  ship  Merrimic. 

"  11 — Rebels  evacuate  Pensacola,  Fla.,  and  burn  the  public  buildiugs 
and  Navy-yard. 


CHKOXOLOGY.  499 

May  15— The  Agricultural  Department  created  by  Act  of  Congress. 
"  24 — Battle  at  Bottom's  Bridge,  over  the  Chickahominy  Eiver,  a  Union 

victory. 
"  30— The  Union  forces  occupy  Corinth,  Miss.,  and  2,000  Confederate 

prisoners  taken. 
"  31— Battle  of  Fair  Oaks,  Va.    After  long  and  hard  fighting  the  Union 

troops  retreated. 
June    1 — Battle  of  Fair  Oaks  re-commenced — Rebels  driven  back.    Union 

loss  4,739  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners— Rebel,  nearly  6,000. 
"     6 — Gun-boat-fight  at  Memphis,  on  the  Mississippi  River.    Memphis 

surrendered,  and  nearly  all  the  enemy's  boats  were  destroyed  or 

captured. 
"     8 — Battle  of  Cross  Keys,  Va.     Union  loss  581  killed  and  wounded — 

Rebel,  about  1,000. 

"    14 — Battle    on  James  Island,  S.  C.,  near  Charleston— Unionists  de- 
feated. 

"    17 — 125  Union  men  killed  and  wounded  by  the  explosion  of  the  gun- 
boat "  Mound  City,"  on  the  White  River,  Ark.,  while  in  a  fight. 
"    19 — Congress  pass  an  Act  prohibiting  Slavery  in  any  of  the  Territories 

of  the  U.  States. 

"   25— Battle  of  Fair  Oaks,  Va.    Rebels  repulsed. 
"    26 — Battle  near  Mechanicsville,  Va.     Rebels  60,000  strong,  under 

Jackson.    Union  troops  driven  back  to  Games'  Mill,  where  the 

loss  was  heavy  on  both  sides.    This  battle  was  renewed  the  next 

day,  and  lasted  all  day. 

"    27 — Bombardment  of  Vicksburgh  by  Union  gun-boats. 
"   30— Battles  of  White  Oak  Swamp,  and  Charles  City  Cross  Roads,  Va. 

Loss  heavy  on  both  sides. 
July   1— The  Internal  Revenue  Bill  passed. 
"     1 — Congress  pass  an  Act  prohibiting  Polygamy  in  any  part  of  the  U. 

States — (a  hit  at  the  Mormons.) 

"     1 — The  Union  Pacific  Railroad  Chartered  by  Congress. 
"     1— Battle  of  Malvern  Hill,  Va.,  Union  victory.    With  this  battle  ended 

the  seven  days'  fighting  near  Richmond,  which  cost  the  Union 

Army  over  15,000  men  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing. 
"     1 — President  Lincoln  called  for  600,000  volunteers  to  put  down  the 

Rebellion. 
•'     2 — Congress  pass  an  Act,  in  which  a  new  oath  of  office  is  prescribed, 

much  more  comprehensive  than  any  former  oath,  which  has  been 

called  "  The  Iron  Clad  Oath." 
«»     7— Gen.  Curtis'  army  encountered  1,500  Rebels  at  Bayou  de  Cache, 

Ark.,  when  a  severe  fight  ensued  of  two  hours'  length — the  enemy 

routed,  leaving  over  1UO  dead  on  the  field. 
"     11— Gen.  H.  \V~.  Halleck  made  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Army  of 

the  United  States. 
"     12 — Rebels,  with  4,000  cavalry,  capture  Murfreesborough,  Tenn., 

after  a  severe  fight,  with  about  an  equal  loss  on  both  sices. 
Aug.    4 — The  President  ordered  a  uraft  of  300,000  men  to  serve  in  the 

Army  nine  months. 
"      5— Battle  of  Baton  Rouge — where  Rebel  Gen.  Breckenridge,  with 

6,000  troops,   attacked  the  Unionists  under  Gen.  Williams,  who, 

after  a  bloody  fight,  forced  the  enemy  to  retreat. 
"      5— The  U.  S.  gun-boat  Essex  attacked  the  Rebel  steamer  Arkansas, 

a  little  below  Baton  Rouge;  fired  red  hot  shot  into  her  and  blew 

her  up. 


500  CHEONOLOGY. 

Sept.  5— Gen.  Robert  McCook  assassinated  by  the  Rebels  while  sick. 

9— Battle  of  Cedar  Mountain,  Va.  Union  troops  under  Gon.  Banks; 
Confederates  under  Gen.  Jackson.  After  a  three  hours'  fight,  both 
parties  retired. 

"    16 — Gen.  McClellan  leaves  Harrison's  Landing  on  the  James  River. 

"  21 — Gen.  Siegel  opened  his  masked  batteries  on  live  regiments  of 
Rebels,  who  had  just  crossed  the  Rappahannock  River,  slaughtered 
700  of  them,  and  took  2,000  prisoners. 

"  26 — A  Union  naval  expedition  went  up  the  Yazoo  River,  Miss.,  cap- 
turing every  thing  in  its  way. 

"  28—  Battle  at  Centreville,  Va.,  under  Union  Genls.  Siegel  and  McDow- 
ell ;  Confederate  Gen.,  Jackson,  who  was  defeated, 

"  29 — Battle  of  Groveton,  near  Bull  Run,  Va.  Unionists  under  Gen. 
Pope.  The  battle  lasted  all  day,  when  the  enemy  retreated.  Col. 
Fletcher  Webster  was  killed  here.  The  fight  was  renewed  the 
next  day,  and  with  great  loss,  when  Pope  retreated. 

<«  30 — Battle  near  Richmond,  Ky.  Unionists,  under  Gen.  Nelson,  da- 
feated  with  great  loss. 

"  31— Battle  of  Weldon,  Va.  Confederates  badly  beaten, 
gept.  1 — On  this  day,  three  battles  were  fought.  1.  At  Chantilley,  two 
miles  from  Fairfax  Court  House,  Va.,  in  which  two  Union  Generals 
were  killed,  to  wit,  Kearney  and  I.  J.  Stevens  ;  their  loss  in  men 
was  also  large.  2.  At  Britton's  Lane,  Teun.,  lasting  four  hours — 
enemy  fled.  3.  A.t  Jackson,  Tenn.,  where  the  Conf  derates  left 
110  dead  on  the  field. 

"  6— Confederate  Army  ford  the  Potomac  River  and  cross  into  Mary- 
land, and  on  the  6th  they  occupy  Frederick  City,  in  that  State. 

"  6—1,200  Rebels  attack  the  Union  Garrison,  at  Washington,  N.  C., 
but  were  repulsed. 

"  8— Gen.  Lee  (Confederate)  issued  a  Proclamation  to  the  people  of 
Maryland. 

41  9— Ou  this  day  these  three  events  happened — 1.  Col.  Grierson  at- 
tacked the  Rebels  at  Coldwater,  lli*s.,  and  drove  them  back.  2. 
They  attack  the  Union  forces  at  Williamsbnrg,  Va.,  where  they 
were  repulsed.  3.  Fredericksburgh,  Va.,  was  evacuated  by  the 
Rebels. 

«'  10 — Gov.  Curtin,  of  Pa.,  (expecting  a  Rebel  invasion  of  the  State) 
called  on  all  the  able  bodied  men  to  organize  to  defend  the  State. 

"  10 — In  Cincinnati,  0.,  so  great  were  the  fears  that  the  Rebels  would 
attack  that  city,  that  3.000  laborers  were  put  into  the  trenches  to 
fortify  the  city. 

"  11— The  Union  forces  at  Ganby,  Va.,  burn  all  the  government  prop- 
erty and  abandon  the  place.  On  the  same  dav,  Mayville,  Ky., 
and  Bloomfield,  Mo.,  were  taken  by  the  Rebels. 

"  12— Fight  on  Elk  River,  Va.,  near  Gnnloy,  which  lasted  all.day.  On 
the  same  day  Charleston  was  bombarded  aad  burnt. 

"  13 — The  Confederates  opened  fire  on  Harper's  Ferry,  when  an 
artillery  duel  was  fought  all  day. 

"  14 — BattLs  of  South  Mountain,  Md.  Unionists,  under  McClellan,  at- 
tacked the  Rebel  Army — the  battle  lasted  all  day,  when  the  Rebels 
fled  in  the  night.  Here  General  Reno  was  killed,  with  about  350 
men. 

"  15 — Harper's  Ferry  surrendered  to  the  Rebels,  who  took  11,500  pris- 
oners aud  sixty  cannon. 

"    16-17— Battle  of  Autietam,  Md.— 100,000  men  on  each.  side.    This  was 


CHEONOLOGY.  501 

one  of  the  bloodiest  battles  of  the  war.    Union  Generals  Hooker, 

Porter,    Burnside,    and    McOlellan— Rebel    General?   Lee,    Hill. 

Jackson,  and  Longstreet.    Union  Loss  over  12,000 — Rebel,  about 

25,000. 
Sept.  20— Battle  of  luka,  Miss.    Enemy  defeated  with  a  loss  of  over  14,000. 

Union  loss  over  700. 
"    22 — President  Lincoln's  Proclamation,  declaring  all  the  Slaves  free  in 

the  Rebel  States,  in  case  they  continued  their  war  100  days  longer. 
"    23 — About  this  time  the  Sioux  Indians  in  Minnesota  became  very 

troublesome,  and  many  of  them  were  killed. 
"    27 — The  Union  garrison  at  Augusta,  Ky.,  surrendered  to  600  Rebel 

cavalry,  after  90  of  them  were  killed. 

Oct.    4— Battle  of  Corinth,  Miss.    Union  loss  in  killed,  wounded  and  miss- 
ing 2,300 — Rebel  over  9,000,  including  prisoners. 
"     8-9 — Battle  of  Perry ville,  Ky.    Gen.  Rosseau  commanded  the  Union 

forces — Bragg,  Buckner,  and  Cheatham  the  Confederates,  who 

were  routed  with  a  loss  of  GOO  killed— Union  468. 
"  10-11 — Rebel  Cavalry  reach  Chambersburgh,  Pa.,  captured  500  horses, 

a  quantity  of  government  stores,  and  fled  back  to  Virginia. 
"  14 — A  donation  of  $100,000  was  sent  from  San  Francisco  for  the  Sani- 

tory  Commission. 
"  15 — A  hard  battle  was  fought  near  Richmond,  Ky.,  between  45,000 

Confederates  and  18,000  Union  forces,  who  lost  2,900  men — Rebel 

loss  3,300. 

•«  22— Battle  of  Maysville,  Ark.    5,000  Rebels  routed. 
"  24— The  English  steamer  Scotia,  loaded  with  arms  and  powder  for  the 

Rebels,  captured  on  the  coast  of  South  Carolina. 

"  30 — Gen.  Mitchell  (the  astronomer),  in  command  of  the  Southern  divi- 
sion of  the  U.  S.  Army,  died  at  Beaufort,  S.  C. 
Nov.    5— The  Rebels  attack  Nashville,  Tenn.,  but  were  repulsed. 
"    25— Rebels  attack  Newbern,  N.  C.,  but  left  soon. 
11    28 — Battle  of  Cane  Hill,  Ark.,  when  5,000  Union  soldiers,  under  Gen. 

Blunt,  drove  the  Rebels,  under  Gen.  Marmaduke,  twelve  miles,  in 

a  running  fight. 
Dec.   5— Battle  of  Coffeeville,  Miss.,  of  two  hours'  duration.    Rebel  loss 

heavy — Union  light. 

"     7— Battle  of  Prairie  Grove,  Ark.    Union  loss  1,000  in  killed  and 
rounded. 


8— Steamer  Lake  City  destroyed  by  the  Rebels. 
9 — Concordia,  on  the  Mississippi  Rive 


srdia,  on  the  Mississippi  River,  burnt  by  the  Unionists. 
"    10 — Port  Royal  was  bombarded  by  the  Unionists. 
"  11— Fredericksburgh  shelled. 
"   13 — Battle  of  Fredericksburgh,  Va.,  where  Generals  Taylor,  Bayard, 

and  Jackson,  of  the  Union  Army,  and  Gregg  and  Cobb,  of  the 

Rebel,  were  killed. 
44  14 — Battle   of  Kingston,  N.  C.,  where  the  Union  men   killed   and 

wounded  several  hundred,  and  took  400  prisoners  and  a  quantity  of 

arms. 
11  16— Fredericksburgh  evacuated  by  the  Union  Army — which  was  equal 

to  a  defeat  at  the  battle  there  on  the  13th. 
"  17 — Baton  Rouge,  the  capital  of  Louisiana,  captured  by  Gen.  Banks' 

troops. 
»   19— the  Rebels  re-took  Holly  Springs,  Miss. ;  200  Unionists  killed  and 

wounded,  and  half  a  million  of  dollars  in  property  destroyed,  wit* 

4,000  bales  of  cotton. 


602  CHEONOLOQY. 

Dec.  28 — Thirty-eight  Indians  hung  in  Minnesota,  for  murdering  the  whites, 
•»  27 — Vicksburgh,  Miss.,  attacked  by  the  Union  troops  on  land,  and  by 

the  gunrboats  on  the  river,  but  on  the  29th  had  to  fall  back. 
"   31— The  famous  iron  "Monitor,"  which  whipped  the  "Merrimack,' 

was  sunk  at  sea  in  a  storm. 

"  31 — A  severe  fight  at  Murfreesboro',  Tenn. ;  Unionists  driven  back. 
This  battle  was  renewed  the  next  morning  and  continued  four 
days,  when  the  Confederates  retreated.  Union  loss  in  killed, 
wounded  and  prisoners,  over  11,000— Confederate,  much  less. 

1863. 

Jan.  1— Battle  of  Galveston  between  United  States  Blockading  Squadron 
and  the  Confederate  batteries.  Here  the  U.  S.  "  Harriet  Lane  " 
was  captured,  and  the  steamer  "  Westfield  "  was  blown  up  by  her 
commander,  and  all  hands  on  board  were  lost. 

"  1 — Gen.  Sullivan,  with  60,000  men,  attacked  the  Rebels  under  Gen, 
Forrest,  near  Lexington,  Tenn.  This  battle  lasted  all  day,  with  a 
great  slaughter  on  both  sides.  Enemy  defeated. 

•'  1 — President  Lincoln  issued  his  Proclamation  liberating  the  slaves  In 
all  the  Rebel  States. 

"   1 — Battle  of  Stone  River,  for  ten  hours  without  any  result. 

•'   9 — Twenty  thousand  prisoners  exchanged. 

"  11 — On  this  and  the  day  previous,  there  was  hard  fighting  at  Forts 
Hindman  and  Arkansas  Post.  Union  loss  about  1,000;  Rebel 
prisoners  nearly  8,000.  • 

"  11 — Union  gun-boat  "  Hatteras  "  sunk  by  the  Rebel  eteamer  Alabama 

"  13 — The  Rebel  steamer  "  Oreto."  afterwards  called  "  Florida,"  escapes 
from  Mobile. 

•»  17— By  joint  resolution  of  Congress,  $100,000,000  United  States  notes 
were  issued  to  pay  off  the  soldiers. 

"  21 — Engagement  on  the  coast  of  Texas,  when  the  Rebels  capture  two 
United  States  vessels. 

"  22— Gen.  Fitz  John  Porter  dismissed  from  the  U.  8.  service. 

"  25 — First  regimentof  negro  soldiers  organized  at  Port  Royal,  S.  C. 

"  26— Gen.  Hooker  succeeds  Gen.  Burnside  in  the  command  of  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac. 

"  26— The  barque  Golden  Rule  burnt,  and  the  ship  Washington  captured 

by  the  Rebel  steamer  Alabama. 

Feb.  3-5— Rebels  attack  Fort  Donelson  OD  both  these  days,  but  were 
repulsed. 

"  5 — The  Union  ram  "  Queen  of  the  West"  destroys  three  Rebel  trans- 
ports loaded  with  supplies,  on  the  Red  River. 

"  9 — Gen.  Hunter  (in  S.  C.)  conscripts  all  able-bodied  negroes  in  his 
department. 

"  12 — The  ship  "Jacob  Bell,"  captured  and  burned  by  the  Rebel  pirate 
"Florida."  Her  cargo  was  worth  $1,000,000. 

"  21 — Ships  "  Golden  Eagle  "  and  "  Olive  Jane,"  burnt  by  the  Rebel 
pirate  "  Alabama,"  on  the  coast  of  Africa. 

"  24 — Arizona,  a  Territorial  Government  for,  created  by  Act  of  Con- 
gress. • 

"  24— Gun-boat  "  Indianola"  (Union)  taken  by  four  Rebel  steamers. 

"  25— Cavalry  fight  at  Strasbnrgh,  Va.  Two  hundred  (Union)  loss  in 
killed  and  prisoners. 


CHEONOLOGT.  503 

Feb.  25— An  Act  to  prevent  Correspondence  with  Rebels,  under  a  penalty 
of  $10.000,  passed  and  approved. 

"  25-— The  Bureau  of  Currency  created  in  the  Treasury  Department,  the 
head  of  which  is  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency,  who  is  appointed 
for  five  years  by  the  President,  upon  the  nomination  of  the  Sec.  of 
the  Treasury.  This  Act  also  provides  for  a  national  currency, 
secured  by  a  pledge  of  United  States  stocks.  Under  this  Act,  our 
present  National  Banks  were  organized. 

"  26 — The  Cherokee  Council  repeals  their  act  of  Secession,  and  abolish 

"  28— Rebel  iron-clad  "  Nashville,"  which  laid  in  the  Ogeechee  River, 

Geo.,  destroyed  by  the  Union  gun-boat  "  Montank." 
March  1— The  third  fruitless  attack  on  Fort  McAllister,  Geo.,  by  the  Union 
gun-boats. 

"  2— By  Act  of  Congress  the  number  of  Generals  in  the  service  of  the 
United  States  (of  all  grades)  were  increased  from  253  to  358. 

"       3 — Act  of  Congress   approved  authorizing  the    Secretary  of  the 

Treasury  to  borrow  $900,000,000  on  the  credit  of  the  United  States, 

and  to  issue  $50,000,000  in  fractional  currency.    This  loan  was 

..    issued  in  what  is  called  10.40  Bonds,  because  they  had  from  ten  to 

forty  years  to  run. 

"  3 — Congress  authorize  the  President  to  suspend  the  privilege  of  the 
writ  of  Habeas  Corpus  during  the  Rebellion. 

"       3 — The  office  of  Assistant  Treasurer  created  by  Act  of  Congress. 

"  3 — An  Act  to  establish  a  Branch  Mint  at  Carson  City,  Nevada, 
approved. 

"       3 — The  Act  forming  a  Territorial  Government  for  Idaho  approved. 

"  3— The  gun-boat  "Indianola"  destroyed  by  the  Rebels,  and  the 
gun-boat "  Geo.  Washington  "  was  blown  up  in  Broad  River. 

"  3 — The  President  authorized  to  issue  Letters  of  Marque  and  Reprisal 
to  Privateers  for  three  years. 

"  6— Rebel  Gen.  Van  Dorn  attacks  the  Union  troops  at  Springfield, 
Tenn.,  routed  them,  and  captured  many  prisoners. 

»  6 — Franklin,  Tenn.,  taken  by  the  Rebels,  who  killed  300  and  took 
1,000  prisoners. 

"     10— Jacksonville,  Fla.,  taken  by  United  States  negro  troops. 

"  13 — Battle  at  the  mouth  of  the  Tallahatchie  River  between  the  gun- 
boat "  Chillicothe  "  and  the  Rebel  Fort  Pemberton,  which  was 
silenced. 

"  14— The  United  States  fleet  bombard  Fort  Hudson,  La.  In  the 
attempt  to  pass  the  Rebel  batteries,  the  Flag-ship  "  Mississippi " 
was  disabled,  and  burnt  by  order  of  Com.  Farragut. 

"  17 — Averill's  Cavalry  (Union)  reach  Kelly's  Ford,  where  they 
attacked  the  Rebels,  under  Stuart  and  Fitzhugh  Lee.  The  battle 
lasted. five  hours,  when  the  Rebels  fell  back.  This  battle  was  one 
of  the  most  gallant  cavalry  fights  of  the  whole  war. 

'•  19 — The  English  steamer  "  Georgiana,"  with  arms  for  the  Confede- 
rates, destroyed  off  Charleston,  S.  C. 

"     25 — Two  Union  rams  (boats)  destroyed  in  attempting  to  pass  the 

batteries  at  Vicksburgh. 
April  1— Admiral  Farragut's  fleet  pass  all  the  Rebel  batteries  at  Grand  Gulf. 

«  6 — To  show  the  effects  of  the  war  on  the  South,  we  quote  the  prices 
of  several  articles  at  Richmond,  Va.  At  this  date,  butter  $3  per  B. ; 
hams  $1.45  per  &.;  brandy  $24  per  gal. ;  com  $7.50  per  bushel; 
candles  $3  per  ft. ;  coffee  $4.50  per  BJ. 


504  CHBONOLOGY. 

April  7— A  number  of  iron-clads  attack  Fort  Sumter,  in  Charleston  harbor, 

but  they  were  badly  punished,  and  left.    Here  the  Union  monitor 

"Keokuk,"  sunk  two  days  after  the  fight,  from  the  damages 

received. 
"     The    ship    "Morning   Star,"    captured    by   the    Rebel    steamer 

"Alabama." 

8— The  Rebels  capture  and  burn  two  Union  steamboats  on  the  Cum- 
berland River,  Tenn. 

"     8 — Admiral  Farragut  captures  the  Rebel  steamer  "  J.  D.  Clark." 
"  12— Battle  at  Teclie,  La.,  between  Unionists,  under  Gen.  Banks  and 

the  Rebels.    Another  fight  occurred  on  the  14th,  between  the 

same  parties,  when  the  Rebels  ran,  and  lost  three  of  their  gun- 
boats. 
««  16 — Porter's  fleet  of  six  gunboats  and  a  number  of  transports,  ran  by 

all  the  Rebel  batteries  at  Vicksburgh. 
"  20 — President  Lincoln  issued  his  proclamation  that  West  Virginia  had 

complied  with  the  Act  of  Congress,  imposing  a  certain  condition 

of  admission  as  a  separate  State ;  gave  notice  that  in  sixty  days 

from  this  date,  she  would  come  into  the  Union. 
44  23 — Gen.  Hunter  gives  Jeff.  Davis  notice  that  he  will  retaliate  for  the 

killing  of  our  negro  soldiers  and  their  officers. 
"  24— On  this  day  the  Union  forces  were  defeated  in  a  fight  at  Beverly, 

Va.,  and  the  Rebels  at  Weber  Falls,  Ark.,  and  also  on  the  Iron 

Mountain  Railroad,  near  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
"   26 — Three  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  bushels  of  corn  destroyed  on 

Deer  Creek,  Miss.,  by  a  party  of  Union  raiders. 
"  27 — Texas  Rebel  Legion  captured  at  Franklin,  Tenn. 
"  28— Cavalry  fight  at  Sand  Mountain,  Ga.     Rebels  flee,  leaving  200 

dead  and  wounded. 

During  this  month,  no  less  than  eighty-five  battles,  skirmishes  or 
attacks  took  place  between  the  Union  and  Rebel  forces,  on 
land   and  upon  the  water  (the   latter  principally  by  gun- 
boats). 
May  1— Battle  at  Port  Gibson ;  11,000  Rebels  defeated.    They  also  suffer 

another  defeat  at  Monticello,  Ky.,  and  another  at  South  Quay,  Va. 

The  Unionists  suffer  a  defeat  also  in  a  skirmish  at  Lagrange,  Ark. 

The  battle  at  Chancellorville,  Va.,  also  commenced  this  day. 
"   2— Battle  of  Chancellorville,  Va.    This  was  the  second  day  of  the 

fight.    The  Union  forces,  under  Gen.  Hooker ;  Rebel  under  Gen. 

Lee,  who  were  victorious.    On  the  third  day  loss  heavy  on  both 

sides. 
41  2 — Col.  Grierson's  raiders  reach  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  after  15  days'  ride 

through  Mississippi,  in  which  time  they  had  several  fights,  took 

prisoners,  destroyed  railroads,  burnt  bridges,  and  did  the  Rebels 

much  damage. 
'<  3 — Col.  Streight's  Union  raiding  force  of  1,600  men  captured  near 

Gadsden,  Ala. 
44  3 — Gen.  Sedgewick  captures  Fredericksburgh,  Va.,  but  the  Rebels 

retook  it  the  next  day. 

"   3— Capture  of  Grand  Gulf,  Miss.,  by  Admiral  Porter's  fleet. 
"  6 — Vallandigham  arrested  in  Ohio  for  treason. 
14 10— Stonewall  Jackson  died,  one  of  the  ablest  of  the  Rebel  generals. 
41 12— Battle  of  Farnden's  Creek,  Miss.     Rebels   under  Gen.   Gregg ; 

Unionists   under   Gen.  Logan— each   about   5,000  men.     Union 

victory. 


CHRONOLOGY. 


5D5 


May  13— Yazoo  city  captured  by  the  Union  gun-boats,  with  $2,000,000  ol 

Eebel  property. 
"  16— Battle  at  Baker's  Creek,  Miss. ;  Gen.  Grant,  Union,  against  Gen. 

Pemberton,  Rebel,  who  was  defeated,  with  a  loss  of  4,000  men. 

This  victory  was  followed  up  by  another  battle  the  next  day,  when 

2,000  more  Eebel  prisoners  were  taken. 
"  18 — Vicksburgh  invested   by  the   forces  of  Gens.  Grant,  Sherman, 

McPherson  and  McClernand,  and  the  terrible  battle  began  ;  while 

Admiral  Porter  aided  them  with  his  fleet  of  gun-boats.    (See 

4th  of  July  next.) 

"  21 — The  Rebels  offer  terms  of  capitulation,  being  completely  sur- 
rounded in  their  fortifications  at  Vicksburgh;  but  Gen.  Grant 

refused  any  other  terms  than  '•  Unconditional  Surrender." 
"  26 — Rebel  cavalry,  under  the  traitor  Gen.  Breckenridge,  defeated  in 

Tennessee. 
"  27 — Gen.  Banks  repulsed  by  the  Rebels  in  his  second  attack  on  Port 

Hudson,  La.    He  also  failed  in  two  or  three  subsequent  attacks  on 

the  same  place. 
June  7— Battle  at  Milliken's  Bend.    The  Rebels  had  attacked  this  place  on 

the  Mississippi  River.    The  Union  force  in  the  main  action  were 

negroes,  who  drove  back  the  Rebels. 
"    9 — Two  cavalry  fights'  take  place  this  day  on  the  Rappahannock 

River,  the  latter  at  Brandy  Station. 
"  11 — Col.  Montgomery  starts  from  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  with  a  regiment 

of  colored  troops,  for  a  raid  in  Georgia, 
"  11 — The  Rebel  pirate  "  Clarence,"  captures  six  vessels  off  the  Chesa- 


"  15 — President  Lincoln  calls  for  100,000  men  to  repel  Gen.  Lee'a  army, 
now  marching  North. 

"  16 — The  Governors  of  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey  call  for  volunteers 
to  defend  Pa.  from  Rebel  invasion. 

"  17— The  Rebel  steamer  "  Nashville  "  captured. 

"  18 — Rebels  under  Milroy  arrive  at  Bedford,  Pa.,  and  within  a  few  days 
after,  several  other  large  bodies  of  their  troops  enter  the  State,  at 
Chambersburgh,  Carlisle,  Shippinsburgh,  Gettysburgh,  and  York 
amounting  in  all  to  more  than  100.000  men. 

"  20 — The  new  State  of  West  Virginia  organized. 
July   — Missouri  abolishes  slavery  in  that  State. 

<"  1-2-3 — Successive  fighting  for  three  days  at  Gettysburgh,  Pa.,  whicl 
ended  in  a  Union  victory.  This  was  one  of  the  greatest  battles  of 
our  civil  war — 6,000  men  were  buried  on  the  field,  and  abou* 
200,000  were  in  the  fight ;  Union  loss  23,000  in  killed,  wounded  ani 
missing ;  Rebel  loss  unknown.  General  Lee  commanded  tht 
Rebel  forces,  who  in  the  night  crossed  the  Potomac  River  int« 
Virginia. 

"  4— Vicksburgh,  Miss.,  surrendered  to  Gen.  Grant,  after  holding  out 
against  our  bombarding  and  shelling  since  the  18th  of  May  last. 
Gen.  Pemberton  (Rebel)  not  only  surrendered  the  place,  but  his 
whole  army  of  31,000  men,  220  guns,  and  70,000  small  arms.— The 
battle  of  Gettysburgh  and  the  surrender  of  Vicksburgh  broke  the 
backbone  of  the  rebellion. 

'  4 — Gen.  Lee  fled.  President  Lincoln  announces  the  victory  of  Gettys- 
burgh, and  Gen.  Mead  issues  a  congratulatory  address  to  his  army 
on  their  victory. 

M   8 — Surrender  of  Port  Hudson,  on  the  Mississippi  River,  to  Gen.  Banks 


506  CHRONOLOGY. 

with  7,000  prisoners,  and  a  great  number  of  cannon  and  snnli 

arms.    This  opened  the  Mississippi  to  trade. 
Jaly  13— Great  riot  in  New  York,  the  object  of  which  was  to  aid  the  Rebet 

lion,  as  it  became  necessary  for  the  Government  to  send  troops  to 

New  York  to  put  it  down.    The  colored  Orphan  Asylum  waa 

burnt,  negroes  hung  in  the  streets,  houses  robbed  and  burnt. 
"  16— The  Riot  ia  New  York  continues.    The  United  States  troops  had 

arrived;  they  lire  upon  the  rioters,  and  kill  and  wound  several 

hundred  of  them. 
"  15— President  Lincoln  issues  a  proclamation,  appointing  the  6th  of 

August  as  a  day  for  Thanksgiving  for  the  recent  great  victories  by 

our  armies. 
"  23— Battle  at  Manassas  Gap,  Va. ;  Rebel  loss  about  400  in  killed  and 

wounded. 
"  26— Morgan,  the  great  Rebel  Guerrilla,  who  had  been  scouring  Indiana 

and  Ohio,  burning,  killing  and  robbing,  was  captured  with  400  of 

his  men  in  Ohio. 
"26 — John  J.  Crittenden,  long  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  from 

Kentucky,  died  at  Frankfort  in  that  State. 
Aug.  1— Two  battles  between  the  Union  and  Rebel  cavalry  took  place  this 

day  in  Virginia;  one  at  Kelly's  Ford,  on  the  Rappahannock,  and 

one  at  Culpcpper. 
«•    I — The  steamboat  "Ruth"  accidentally  burnt  on  the  Mississippi 

River,  with  $250,000  of  Government  money  on  board.    About  this 

time,  the  Indians  in  Minnesota  were  very  hostile,  and  Gen.  Siblee 

had  three  battles  with  them  and  drove  them  off. 
"  12  to  20— Gen.  Gilmore  bombards  Fort  Sumter,  and  on  the  21st,  22d, 

23d  and  25th  threw  shells  into  Charleston,  S.C.,  at  a  range  of 

nearly  six  miles. 
"  27 — John  B.  Floyd,  Secretary  of  War  under  Buchanan,  but  now  a 

Rebel  general,  died. 
31— A  squadron  of  United  States  War  vessels  attack  Fort  iloultrie,  in 

Charleston  harbor. 

During   this   month,  Mississippi   and   Tennessee  swarmed  with 

guerrillas.. 

Rept.  1 — Knoxville,  Tenn.,  captured  by  Gen.  Burnside's  troops.    An  artil- 
lery fight  at  Port  Royal,  Va. 

"     2— Kingston,  Tenn.,  captured  by  Gen.  Burnside. 
"    5 — Forts  Wagner  and  Gregg,  near  Charleston,  bombarded  by  Gen. 

Gilmore,  and  on  the  6th  the  Rebels  evacuated  them. 
"     8 — Cumberland   Gap,  with   2,000  prisoners,    surrendered  to    Gen. 

Burnside. 
"  10— Little  Rock,  Ark.,  evacuated  by  the  Rebels,  and  occupied  by  the 

Union  troops. 
"  19— Battle  of  Chickamauga,  Geo.     This  battle  raged  for  two  days,  and 

ended  in  a  great  defeat  of  the  Union  army,  and  a  loss  of  over 

15,000  men  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing.    Rebel  loss  also  very 

heavy.    Gen.  Rosecrans  commanded  the  Union,  and  Gen.  Bragg 

the  Rebel  troops. 

"  22— A  heavy  battle  at  Madison  Court  House,  Va.    Rebels  defeated. 
"  28— Rebels   attack  Gen.  Burnside    at   Knoxville,  Tenn,,  but   were 

repulsed. 

Oct.  3— Union  troops  throw  Greek  fire  into  Charleston. 
»'  5— Rebel  attack  on  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  but  were  repulsed. 

Chatanooga,  Tenn.,  bombarded  by  the  Rebels  under  Gen.  Bragg. 


CHRONOLOGY.  507 

Oct.  5 The  "  New  Ironsides,"  in  Charleston  harbor,  attacked  by  a  Rebel 

gun-boat  and  torpedo,  but  they  failed  iu  the  attempt,  and  the 
assailants  were  captured. 

« 14 — Battle  of  Bristow's  Station,  Va.    Result,  450  Rebel  prisoners. 
"  16— Henry  Ward  Beecher  lectures  in  England  in  relation  to  our  Civil 

War. 
"  16 — Gen.  Grant  takes  command  of  the  Departments  of  Tennessee,  Cera. 

berland  and  Ohio. 

i'  17 — The  President  calls  for  300,000  more  troops. 

"21 — Three  fights  occur  this  day — 1.  At  Tuscumbia,  Ala.    2.  At  Phila- 
delphia, Tenn.    3.  At  Corinth,  Miss. 
"  26 — Charleston  again  bombarded  from  Forts  Wagner,  Gregg,  and  the 

Union  gun-boats. 
"  27 — Battle  of  Brown's  Ferry,  on  the  Tennessee  River,  near  Chatanooga. 

Rebels  repulsed  with  loss. 
"28— Lookout   Mountain   taken   from   the    Rebels   by  Gen.  Hooker's 

forces. 
"  31 — Battle  of  Shell  Mound,  Tenn.    Union  troops  under  Gen.  Hooker, 

gain  another  victory. 
Nov.  2 — Rebels  capture  two  trains  of  cars  after  destroying  the  railroad  near 

Mayfield,  Ky. 
"    2 — Gen.  Banks  lands  his  army  in  Texas,  and  two  days  after  takes 

peaceable  possession  of  Brownsville. 

"   6 — Chatanooga  bombarded  for  several  days  about  this  time. 
•'    6 — Gen.  Averill  defeats  the  Rebels  at  Lewisburgh,  Va.,  capturing  a 
large  amount  of  arms,  wagons,  and  other  properly.    Rebels  lost 
in  killed  and  wounded  over  1,200  men. 
"    6 — About  this  time  the  North  was  horrified  at  tlie  starvation  of  Union 

prisoners  in  the  Rebel  prisons  at  Richmond,  Va. 
"    7— Gen.  Mead  drives  the  Rebels  across  the  Rappahannock  River,  and 

captures  2,000  prisoners. 
«*  11 — The  British  Minister  (Lord  Lyons)  informed  our  Government  that 

the  Rebels  intended  to  invade  the  United  States  from  Canada. 
•'  15 — Gen.  Banks  captured  Corpus  Christi  Pass,  Texas. 
•<  15 — Gen.  Longstreet  (Rebel)  drives  Gen.  BurnsiJe  from  Holston,  Tenn., 

to  Bull's  Station. 
.     «4  is — Gen.  Sherman  and  Gen.  Thomas'  forces  unite  at  Chatanooga, 

Tenn. 
»» 17 — Gen.  Longstreet  besieges  the  city  of  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  at  this  time 

in  Gen.  Burnside's  possession. 

«« 17— Charleston  again  shelled,  as  it  had  been  on  the  10th  and  llth  inst. 
"  19— Union  National  Cemetery  consecrated    at  Gettysburgh  for  the 

soldiers  who  fell  in  the  Great  Battle  at  this  place  in  July. 
"  20 — Mosby,  having  his  men  disguised  by  Union  uniforms,  attacks  our 

troops  at  Beatton  Station.     This  was  discovered  and  frustrated. 
<i  23 — Battles  of  Chatanooga  and  Lookout  Mountain.     The  fight  was  con- 
tinued  three  days.     Gen.  Hooker  drove  the  Rebels  from  the 
mountain.    This  fight  was    above    the    clouds.      Geus.   H»oker, 
Thomas  and  Sherman  commanded  the  Union,  and  Gen.  Bragg  tha 
Confederates. 
"  26 — The  Union  troops  pursue  the  Rebels  to  Chickamauga.    But  thej 

had  fled,  alter  destroying  their  stores. 

"  26 — Cavalry  fight  near  the  Rapidan  River.    Rebels  repulsed. 
n  26 — Gen.  Grant  reports  that  Gen.  Bragg's  route  is  complete,  with  a  losa 
of  sixty  guns. 


508  CHRONOLOGY. 

NOT.  28 — The  Rebel  Gon.  John  Morgan  escapes  from  the  prison  at  Colum- 
bus, Ohio. 

"  28— Rebels  attack  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  and  were  repulsed  the  next  day 

•with  great  slaughter. 

Dec.  4 — Gen.  Longstreet  abandons  Knoxville,  and  two  days  after,  Gen. 
Sherman's  troops  arrive  there  to  relieve  Gen.  Butnsfde. 

"  7 — President  Lincoln,  by  proclamation,  recommends  a  day  of  Thanks- 
giving, to  be  observed  by  all  loyal  people,  on  account  of  the  recent 
prcat  victories. 

'<  g — The  President  issues  another  proclamation,  offering  pardon  (with 
few  exceptions)  to  all  who  had  taken  part  in  the  rebellion,  upon 
consideration  of  their  taking  an  oath  hereafter  to  support  the 
Constitution,  the  union  of  all  the  States,  and  the  laws  of 
Congress. 

•'  12 — Gen.  Butler  gave  notice  that  the  Confederate  authorities  refused  to 
receive  any  more  supplies  for  the  Union  prisoners  at  Richmond. 

"  16— Gen.  Averill's  cavalry  destroy  the  Virginia  and  Tennessee  Rail- 
road, and  a  depot  containing  4,000  barrels  of  flour  and  meat, 
160,000  bushels  of  grain,  and  other  military  supplies. 

"  17— The  steamer  "Chesapeake,"  which  had  been  captured  by  Rebel 
passengers  on  the  6th  inst.,  retaken  by  a  United  States  gun-boat 
near  Halifax,  N.  S. 

"  24 — The  bombardment  of  Charleston  still  continued. 


1864. 

Jan.  7 — Two  blockade  runners  were  captured  this  day — 1.  The  "  Dare,"  a 

British  steamer,  was  run  ashore  at  Wilmington,  N.  C.,  and  destroyed. 

2.  The  "John  Scott,"  at  Mobile  Bay. 
"  11 — Two  more  blockade  runners,  beached  and  burned,  on  the  coast  of 

North  Carolina.    These  made  22  which  had  been  captured  or 

burnt  in  the  last  six  months. 

"  19— The  office  of  Assistant  Secretary  of  War  created  by  Act  of  Con- 
gress. 
"  '^5 — Cornelius  Yanderbilt  received  a  vote  of  thanks  from  Congress  for 

his  gift  to  the  Government  of  the  s  earner  "  Vanderbilt,"  worth 

$800,000.    This  ship  had  just  returned  from  a  year's  cruise  after 

Rebel  pirates. 
Feb.  1 — The  President  orders  a  draft  of  500,000  men  for  three  years,  or 

during  the  war. 
"   5— The  United  States  gun-boat  "  Cambridge ''  destroys  the  English 

steamer  "  Dee,"  and  the  gun-boat  •'  De  Soto  "  captures  the  British 

steamer  "  Cumberland,"  with  a  cargo  of  arms  for  the  Rebels,  off 

Mobile. 
"    9 — Over  1,000  bales  of  cotton  burnt  at   Wilmington,  N.  C.,  valued 

at  $700,000. 
"  20— Battle  of  Olustee,  Fia.    Union  troops  under  Gen.  Seymour  were 

defeated  with  great  loss.    Two  negro  regiments  covered  Ms  retreat 

and  saved  his  army. 
*'  23— Admiral  Farragut  began  his  six  days  bombardment  of  Fort  Powell, 

below  Mobile. 
"  25— Grierson  and  Smith's  cavalry  return  to  Memphis.    During  their 

expedition  they  took  200  Rabels,  1,500  negroes,  and  300  horses; 


CHRONOLOGY  509 

destroyed  3,000,000  bushels  of  corn,  4,000  bales  of  cotton,  2,000 
hides,  and  forty  miles  of  Railroad. 

Feb.  27 — Gen.  Sherman's  expedition  returns  to  Vicksburg,  having  destroyed 
150  miles  of  Railroad,  20  locomotives,  10,000  bales  of  cotton, 
2,000,000  bushels  of  corn,  and  freed  10,000  negroes. 
During  this  month,  in  addition  to  the  two  raids  above  mentioned, 
several  others  of  less  importance  took  place.  The  amount  of  pro- 
perty destroyed  was  immense,  besides  which,  eighteen  vessels 
(blockade  runners  and  others)  were  captured  or  destroyed,  and 
the  power  of  the  Rebellion  was  nearly  broken. 

March  1— Gen.  Ulysses  S.  Grant  nominated  for  Lieutenant-General,  and 
confirmed  by  the  Senate  the  next  day. 

"  12 — He  was  appointed  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  United  States 
army. 

"     15 — The  President  calls  for  200,000  more  men. 

"  25 — Rebel  Gen.  Forrest,  with  6,500  men,  attack  Paducah,  Ky.,  but 
was  repulsed,  by  aid  of  Union  gun-boats,  with  heavy  loss. 

"     18 — Battle  of  Cane  River,  Li.,  when  8,000  Union  troops,  under  Mower 

and  Dudley,  defeat  12,000  Rebels,  under  Gen.  Taylor. 
April  4— Gen.  Steele  defeats  the  Rebel  Gen.  Marmaduke's  cavalry,  4,000 
strong,  on  the  Little  Missouri  River,  Ark. 

"  6 — Gen.  Sheridan  put  in  command  of  the  cavalry  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac. 

"  8 — Gen.  Banks'  troops  defeated,  with  a  loss  of  2,000  men  and  24  guns, 
at  Mansfield,  La.,  by  the  Rebels,  under  Kirby  Smith. 

"  8 — Gen.  Banks'  forces  again  attacked  by  the  Rebels,  who  were 
repulsed.  Banks  now  gives  up  his  Red  River  expedition,  having 
lost  about  4,000  men  and  300  wagons. 

"  12 — Rebel  Gen.  Forrest,  by  abusing  a  flag  of  truce,  storms  Fort  Pillow, 
and  after  its  surrender,  in  cold  blood,  murders  the  garrison,  con- 
sisting of  250  whites  and  350  negroes ;  not  200  escaped.  This  was 
one  of  the  blackest  deeds  of  the  Rebellion. 

"  21 — North  Carolina  Salt  Works,  near  Wilmington,  destroyed  by  a  party 
from  our  gun-boats.  These  works  were  worth  $100,000.  before 
this,  the  Union  commanders  had  made  it  their  business  to  destroy 
all  the  salt  works  in  the  Rebel  States  which  could  be  found,  and 
millions  of  dollars  worth  were  thus  destroyed. 

May   2 — 400  Union  prisoners  reach  Annapolis,  almost  dead  from  starvation 
and  other  cruelties  practised  upon  them  while  in  Rebel  prisons. 

"  4 — Grant's  army,  consisting  of  about  80,000  men,  cross  the  Rapidan 
and  encamp  at  Chancellorsville  and  the  Wilderness. 

"  5 — The  great  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  Va.,  begins — Grant  command- 
ing the  Union  Army,  and  Lee  the  Rebel.  Nothing  decisive  tnis 
day.  but  loss  heavy  on  both  sides. 

"  6 — Second  days'  fighting  commenced  early  in  the  morning.  Here 
Gen.  Wadsworth  (U.)  was  mortally  wounded,  and  about  30,000 
men,  on  both  sides,  were  killed  or  wounded.  Neither  party*  could 
claim  victory. 

"  6 — At  this  date  Sherman's  Army,  posted  on  the  borders  of  Tennessee 
and  Georgia,  (not  far  from  Chatanooga)  amounted  to  nearly  100,- 
000  men  and  250  guns ;  while  the  Rebels,  under  Joe  Johnson,  in 
the  vicinity,  were  not  over  00,000  strong. 

"  7 — Lee  retreats  to-day  from  t.ie  battle-ground  of  ths  Wilderness  for 
Spottsylvania  Court  House— the  Union  Army  starts  for  the  sajie 
place — several  fights  occur  on  the  way. 


5lU  CHRONOLOGY. 

May  7— From  official  reports,  it  appeared  that  from  the  commencement  o' 
the  war  to  this  date,  there  had  been  over  150,000  Rebel  officers 
and  men  taken  prisoners. 

«'     8 — Hard  battle  to-day,  at  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  between  Grant ' 
and  Lee's    forces— Gen.  Sedgwick  (Re.)  was   killed,  but  no  de- 
cisive result,  except  that  Gen.  Sheridan  captured  immense  supplies 
at  Beaver  Dam  station. 

«  10— The  same  battle  still  continued,  but  nothing  decisive,  with  a  loss 
on  each  side  of  probably  10,000  men. 

"  12— Another  hard  fight  to-day,  but  stilt  undecisive. 

"  16 — Gen.  Butler's  besieging  forces  at  Fort  Darling,  on  the  James  river, 
were  attacked  and  defeated  by  a  loss  of  3,500  men  in  killed, 
wounded  and  prisoners — Rebel  loss  2,600. 

"  26 — The  Territory  of  Montana  organized  under  a  Territorial  govern^ 

ment,  by  Act  of  Congress. 

Jun/»  1 — Battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  Va.  This  continued  three  days,  but  was 
undecisive. 

•'  7 — A.  Lincoln  nominated,  by  a  Republican  Convention  at  Baltimore, 
for  a  second  Presidential  term. 

"  14 — The  Rebel  General  and  Bishop  (Polk)  killed  by  a  cannon  shot. 

"  15— Gen.  \V.  F.  Smith  attacks  Petersburg,  Va.,  with  15,000  men,  prin- 
cipally colored,  for  three  successive  days.  Attacks  were  con- 
tinued, but  without  success.  These  various  assaults  cost  the 
Unionists  nearly  10,000  men. 

"  19 — The  Rebel  steamer  "  Alabama,"  commanded  by  the  Pirate  B. 
Semmes,  was  sunk  on  the  coast  of  France  by  the  U.  S.  gun-boat 
"  Kearsarge,"  Capt.  Winslow,  after  a  two  hours'  tight. 

"  28— The  Fugitive  Slave  Law,  of  1850,  Repealed. 

"  30— Salmon  P.  Chase,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  resigns  his  office, 

and  Senator  Fessenden  was  appointed  in  his  place. 
July   1— The  Public  Debt  of  the  United  States,  at  this  date,  was  $1,740.- 

690,489.49. 
1     1 — Gen.  Sherman  takes  3,000  Rebel  prisoners  this  day. 

"  4 — Act  passed  by  Congress  to  establish  a  branch  Mint  at  Dalles 
City,  Oregon. 

"  8 — Rebel  Pirate  '•  Florida'1  burns  several  vessels  off  the  coast  of  Mary- 
land. 

"     9— Battle  of  Monocacy — Rebels,  under  Gen.  Early  victorious. 

"  18— President  Lincoln  calls  for  500,000  more  troops. 

"  20— Fight  at  Winchester,  Va.,  between  Rebel  Gen.  Early,  aud  Gen. 
Averill — Rebels  retreated  with  loss. 

"  20-22— Two  severe  battles  in  Georgia.  The  Rebel  General,  Hood,  at- 
tacks Genl.  Sherman's  army — Rebels  defeated,  with  a  loss  of  20,- 
000  men  in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners.  Union  Gen.  McPherson 
killed  on  the  22d. 

•'  25— The  mine  under  the  Rebel  Fort  before  Petersburg  completed, 
and  charged  with  four  tons  of  powder. 

"  2*8— Battle  of  Four  Mile  Creek,  North  of  the  Jamea  River,  Va.  The 
Rebels  attack  Gen.  Sheridan  aud  gained  nothing,  but  lost  000  men. 

"  30 — The  great  mine,  under  the  Rebel  Fort  at  Petersburg,  exploded — 
blowing  up  the  Fort,  with  the  regiment  which  garrisoned  it — but, 
from  bad  management,  it  proved  a  far  more  disastrous  affair  to  us 
than  to  the  Rebels.  Union  loss  4,000— Rebel,  only  1,050. 

"  SO- -The  Rebel  Gen.  McCausland  entered  Chambersburg,  Pa.,  and  . 
burnt  it.  Loss,  $1,000,000. 


CHRONOLOGY.  611 


July  30 — Gen.  Stonemau's  troops  attacked  by  a  great  Eebel  force  at  Macon, 
Geo. ;  and,  after  some  hours'  fighting,  surrendered. 
During  this  month  Petersburg,  Va.,  was  cannonaded  nearly  every 

day. 

Aug.  2— Gen.  Banks  puts  all  the  Negroes,  between  the  ages  of  18  and  40, 
(in  the  Department  of  the  Grand  Gulf.)  into  his  army. 

"  3 — Rebel  Gen.  Hood  attacks  Gen.  Logan's  lines  at  Atlanta,  Geo., 
and  drove  them  back,  but  in  the  evening  Logan  regains  his  po- 
sition. 

11  6 — Admiral  Farragut  enters  Mobile  Bay  with  32  vessels,  silencing  the 
Forts  as  he  passed  them.  Inside,  he  attacks  the  iron  clad  rani 
"  Tennessee,"  which  surrendered  with  her  Admiral,  Buchanan,  and 
her  crew.  At  this  engagement  the  Monitor  "Tecuinseh"  waa 
blown  up  and  sunk,  by  a  torpedo. 

««  6 — Fort  Powell,  on  Mobile  Bay,  abandoned  by  the  Rebels,  when  it 
fell  into  the  hands  of  Gen.  Granger,  with  18  guns. 

"  7 — Gen.  Averill  defeats  the  combined  force  of  the  Eebels  at  Moor- 
field,  W.  Va.,  taking  all  their  guns,  420  prisoners,  and  400  horses—- 
when  they  fled  to  the  mountains. 

"  7 — English  steamer  "  Prince  Albert"  sunk  in  Charleston  harbor  by 
our  fleet. 

"      7 — The  shelling  of  Petersburg  continues. 

«•  8 — Fort  Gaines,  at  Mobile  Bay.  surrenders  to  Farragut  and  Granger — 
56  officers,  818  men,  and  26  guns. 

««      9 — Atlanta,  Ga.,  bombarded  from  all  parts  of  Sherman's  lines. 

"  11 — The  Pirate  "Tallahassee,"  off  Fire  Island,  burns  five  merchant 
vessels,  and  during  this  month  she  burnt  and  sank  as  many  more. 

"  13 — Moseby,  the  Guerrilla  leader,  attacks  and  captures  a  Union  sup- 
ply train  of  75  wagons,  500  horses,  200  cattle,  and  200  prisoners, 
near  Berryville,  Va. 

44  19— The  Rebels  attack  the  Union  lines  at  Ream's  Station,  Va.,  and 
took  3,000  prisoners. 

"  21— A  Rebel  attempt  to  drive  Gen.  Warren  from  the  Weldon  Rail- 
road lost  them  600  men  killed,  and  1,100  prisoners — among  their 
killed  were  Generals  Saundors  and  Lamar. 

"  23 — Fort  Morgan  (in  Mobile  Bay,)  surrenders  to  Admiral  Farragut 
and  Gen.  Granger ;  600  men  and  60  guns  were  taken. 

••  25— Battle  at  Ream's  Station,  Va.,  in  which  the  Rebels  drive  our 
troops  out,  kill  and  wound  1,000  of  them,  and  make  prisoners  of 
2,000  more. 

At  the  close  of  August,  we  may  say  summarily,  that  during  this 
month  Gen.  Grant  was  operating  before  Richmond,  Va. ; 
Gen.  Thomas  at  Atlanta,  Geo.,  and  Admiral  Farragut  in  Mobile 
Bay. 

Sept.  2— Gen.  Hood,  the  commander  of  the  Confederate  forces  at  Atlanta, 
Geo.,  evacuates  the  place  after  destroying  80  car  loads  of  ammu- 
nition and  a  vast  quantity  of  military  stores ;  and  the  Union 
troops,  under  Gen.  Slocum,  take  possession,  while  Gen.  Thomaa 
pursues  Hood. 

"      8 — Petersburg,  Va.,  still  cannonaded  and  shelled. 

"  12— Gen.  Sherman  sends  all  the  inhabitants  of  Atlanta  out  of  the 
place. 

"  13 — Gen.  Sheridan  capturing  Rebels,  and  operating  generally  in  tha 
Slienandoah  Valley,  Va. 


512  CHRONOLOGY. 

Sept.  16 — A  strong  Rebel  cavalry  force,  under  Hampton,  at  C'asrgin's  Point, 
ou  the  James  River,  Va.,  drove  off  2,500  Beeves,  intended  for  the 
Union  Army  there. 

»  19— Battle  of  Opequan,  Va.  Here  Sheridan  defeated  the  Rebel  Gen. 
Early,  who  lost  over  8,000  men  in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners, 
besides  6,000  small  arms. 

"  20 — A  shotted  salute  over  Sheridan's  victory,  fired  into  Petersburgh, 
which  caused  an  artillery  duel  all  along  our  lines. 

«<  22 — Battle  of  Fisher's  Hill,  when  Gen.  Sheridan  again  defeats  Early, 
who  lost  1,500  killed  and  wounded,  besides  2,400  prisoners,  21  can- 
non, and  a  great  quantity  of  small  arms. 

»«  30 — Our  blockading  force  captured  and  destroyed  abont  fifty  block- 
ade runners  this  month. 

Oct.  7— Gen.  Sheridan  returns  from  his  raid  up  the  Valley  of  the  Shen- 
andoah,  where  he  had  destroyed  2,000  barns  and  their  contents, 
with  70  mills.  He  also  took  4,000  cattle,  3,000  sheep  and  great 
numbers  of  horses. 

»«  7 — Commander  Collins,  of  the  ship  "  Wachussett,"  ran  down  the 
Rebel  Pirate  "  Florida,"  at  Bahia,  Brazil,  and  brought  her  home. 

•'  10 — The  English  blockade  running  steamer  "  Bat,"  captured  off  Wil- 
mington, N.  C.,  on  her  first  trip ;  she  and  her  cargo  were  of  great 
value. 

"  11 — Maryland  votes  for  a  new  Constitution,  with  a  section  in  it  abol- 
ishing slavery. 

"  19— Great  battle  at  Cedar  Creek.  Va.,  in  which  Gen.  Sheridan  defeats 
the  Rebel  Early.  This  great  victory  was  gained  after  Sheridan's 
troops  had  fled  from  the  battle-field.  Sheridan  stopped  the  re- 
treat, turned  his  men  about  and  whipped  the  enemy;  who,  flying, 
left  every  thing  behind  them.  Rebel  loss  2,000  men,  with  1,300 
prisoners,  48  cannon,  398  horses,  65  ambulances,  50  wagons,  with 
an  immense  amount  of  arms  and  ammunition. 

"  19 — A  number  of  Rebel  Refugees,  who  were  harbored  in  Canada,  enter 
St.  Albaus,  \t.,  and  robbed  three  banks,  stole  what  they  wanted, 
and  returned  to  Canada. 

"  27 — Gen.  Grant's  army  make  a  reconnoisance  on  both  sides  of  the 
James  liiver,  but  it  resulted  in  nothing  but  the  loss  of  1,500  men  in 
killed,  wounded  and  prisoners. 

"  28 — The  Rebel  Gen.  Price,  with  his  army,  driven  out  of  Missouri  into 
Arkansas.  This  was  the  end  of  Price's  invasion  of  that  ytate.  He 
left  it  with  about  one-third  of  his  men. 

Nov.    3— The  battle  of  Franklin,  Teun.,  to-day,  resulted  in  a  decided  Union 
victory— Gen.  Hood  commanding  the   Rebels,  and  Gen.  Stanley 
the  Unionists.    Union  loss  2,500  to  3,000 ;   Rebel  much  larger. 
8 — Abraham  Lincoln  re-elected  President  of  the  United  Stutes,  and 
Andrew  Johnson,  Vice-President. 

"  8 — Gen.  George  B.  McClellau  resigns  his  commission  as  Commander- 
in-Chief  of  the  United  States  Army. 

"  9— Gen.  Sherman  issues  orders  for  his  army  to  march  from  Atlanta, 
Geo.,  to  Savannah. 

"  11 — The  gun-boat  Tulip  bursts  her  boiler  on  the  Potomac  River,  kill- 
ing nearly  all  on  board. 

"  13— The  Rebel  Gen.  Breckenridge  attacks  Gen.  Gillem,  near  Bull's 
Gap,  Tenn.,  in  the  night,  and  routed  his  army. 

"  14 — Gen.  Sherman  leaves  Atlanta,  Geo.,  after  blowing  up  and  burn- 
ing the  public  buildings  and  factories.  His  army  moves  in  two 


CHBONOLOGY.  613 

columns  towards  the  sea — one  under  Gen.  Howard,  and  the  othei 

under  Gen.  Slocum. 
JTov.  15— Atlanta  burning  all  day. 
"    19 — At  the  approach  of  Sherman,  GOT.  Brown  and  his  Legislature, 

of  Geo.,  run  away  from  Milledgeville,  the  capital  of  the  State. 
"    22 — Sherman's  army  enter  Milledgeville  ;  and,  on  the 
"    23— Some  of  his  soldiers  held  a  mock  session  of  the  Legislature,  and 

pass  highly  loyal  resolutions, 
•i    24— Thanksgiving  was  observed  by  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  with 

59,000  Ibs.  of  turkeys,  sent  them  by  the  North,  which  also  sent 

3G,000  to  Sheridan's  army. 
"    25 — An  attempt  was  made  to-night  to  fire   New  York  by  Rebel 

Agents,  who  set  fire  in  their  rooms  in  fifteen  hotels  in  the  city ; 

also  in  several  other  places — but  the  plot  failed  of  success. 
Dec.  1 — Including  those  now  in  course  of  construction,  we  have  671  ves- 
sels in  our  navy,  carrying  over  4,600  guns  and  51,000  men.     These 

have  captured  324  vessels  during  the  past  year,  and  1,379  since 

the  war  began — 267  of  which  were  steamers. 
"    6— Up  to  this  date,  65  blockade  runners  (steamers)  have  been  either 

taken  or  destroyed  belore  Wilmington,  N.  C.     Ships  and  cargoes 

worth  $12,000,000. 
"    6 — Ex-Secretary  (of  the  Treasury)  Chase  appointed  Chief-Justice  of 

the  United  States  Supreme  Court,  in  place  of  Roger  B.  Taney, 

deceased. 
«'  12— Sherman's  army  reach  Savannah,  where  Rebel  Gen.  Hardee  is 

found,  with  15,000  troops.    In  his  march  from  Atlanta  to  this  place 

his  army  destroyed  15,000  bales  of  cotton,  captured  6,000  beeves, 

and  1,800  horses  and  mules,  and  15,000  negroes  come  into  our 

lines. 
"  13 — Gen.  Hazen's  division,  under  Sherman,  storm  Fort  McAlister,  near 

Savannah,  Geo.,  and  take  it,  with  200  prisoners  and  all  its  stores. 
"  14 — Gen.  Dix  issues  an  order  to  follow  any  invaders  from  Canada  on  to 

Canadian  soil,  if  necessary,  to  seize  them,  but  the  President  dis- 
approved this  order. 
"  15 — battle  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  in  which  Gen.  Thomas  (Union)  gained 

a  victory  over  Gen.  Hood  (Rebel).    This  battle  lasted  two  days,  on 

both  of  which  the  Unionists  were  victorious. 
"  15 — Battle   of  Murfreesboi'o'.  Tenu.,   in  which  Gen.  Rosseau  (Union) 

defeats  Gen.  Forest  (Rebel),  who  lost  1,500  men. 
"  19 — President  Lincoln  issues  a  call  for  300,000  volunteers. 
"  20 — Gen.  Stoneman  attacks  three  Rebel  forts  at  Saltville,  drove  out  the 

Rebel  forces,  and  destroyed  their  salt  works  and  lead  mines,  with 

50  railroad  bridges. 
"  20 — Gen.  Sherman  demands  the  surrender  of  Savannah.    Gen.  Hardee 

refuses,  but  fled  during  the  night. 
"  21— Gen.  Sherman  enters  the  city  without  opposition  ;  captures  800 

prisoners,  33,000  bales  of  cotton,  150  cannon,  13  locomotives,  190 

cars,  3  steamers  with  much  ammunition  and  stores ;   makes  Gen. 

Geary  military  Governor — the  people  submit  gracefully  to  their 

new  masters. 
*    21 — Admiral  Farragut  made  Vice- Admiral,  as  a  reward  for  his  great 

services. 


514  OHE02TOLOGY. 

1865. 

Jan.  1— Since  Jnly  3,  1861,  66,390  pension  certificates  had  been  granted. 

»  11— The  Missouri  State  Convention  pass  an  ordinance  emancipating 
the  slaves  in  that  State. 

»  U_0ne  vessel  starts  from  Boston  and  another  from  New  York,  with 
charitable  supplies  for  the  people  of  Savannah,  Geo. ;  and  on  the 
16th  instant  another  vessel  left  New  York  with  further  supplies, 
worth  in  all  $100,000. 

u  15 Gen.  Terry,  with  a  force  of  9,000  men,  aided  by  the  fleet  at  that 

place,  captures  Fort  Fisher,  on  the  coast  of  North  Carolina,  after 
three  days'  fighting  Gen.  Whiting  and  Col.  Lamb  commanded 
the  fort.  We  took  1,800  prisoners ;  killed  and  wounded  400  more  ; 
our  loss  was  over  1,000  killed  and  wounded.  This  was  a  terrible 
blow  to  the  rebels — it  left  them  without  a  single  port. 

i<  is — Eiiward  Everitt,  a  most  distinguished  scholar,  statesman  and 
orator,  died  at  Boston,  aged  71. 

"  16 — The  magazine  at  Fort  Fisher  exploded,  and  killed  and  wounded 
300  of  our  troops. 

"  17 — The  monitor  "  Patapsco,"  blown  up  and  sunk  by  a  Rebel  torpedo 
in  Charleston  harbor — 7  officers  and  65  men  went  down  with  her. 

"  23 — The  Rebel  General  Hood  formally  takes  leave  of  the  Rebel  Army — 
having  been  succeeded  by  Gen.  Taylor. 

«»  28 — (Jen.  Breckenridge  succeeds  Mr.  Seddon,  as  Rebel  Secretary  cf 
War. 

"  29— A.  H.  Stephens,  R.  M.  T.  Hunter,  and  A.  J.  Campbell,  all  dis- 
tinguished Rebels,  obtain  permission  of  Gen.  Grant,  at  City  Point, 
Va.,  to  go  to  Fortress  Monroe,  to  try  and  negotiate  a  peace. 

«i  31 — The  House  of  Representatives  passes  the  Senate  joint  Resolution 
to  amend  the  Constitution,  so  as  to  abolish  Slavery  in  the  United 
States,  by  119  to  56. 

Feb.  1— Secretary  Seward  goes  to  Fortress  Monroe  to  meet  the  three 
Rebel  Commissioners. 

«•  1— The  Legislature  of  Illinois  ratifies  the  Emancipation  Amendment, 
just  passed  both  Houses  of  Congress.  This  was  the  first  State 
which  did  so. 

••  2— Pi  esident  Lincoln  goes  to  Fortress  Monroe  to  meet  the  three  Rebel 
Peace  Commissioners ;  but  nothing  was  agreed  upon. 

"  2-3 — Rhode  Island,  Massachusetts,  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  Maryland 
and  West  Virginia,  all  ratify  the  Constitutional  Amendment — and 
on  the  7th,  Maine  aud  Missouri  do  the  same,  and  on  the  8th,  Ohio 
also. 

•«  17— Columbia,  S.  C.,  Kurnt,  accidentally? 

A  Rebel  paper  dollar  was  worth  but  two  centa  in  specie,  in 
Richmond,  Va. 

"  18— The  Union  troops  enter  Charleston  this  day,  and  take  450  good 
caniion,  and  the  blockade  runners  "  Cyrene"  and  •'  Deer." 

"  18 — Gen.  Lee  writes  a  letter  in  favor  of  arming  the  Slaves,  saying  the 
whites  could  not  carry  on  the  war  alone. 

"  25— Eight  hundred  Rebel  soldiers  came  into  our  lines,  all  of  whom  had 

deserted  during  the  last  week. 

Mar.   1— The  Legislature  of  New  Jersey  rejects  tha  Constitution  Amend- 
ment (the  13th). 


CHRONOLOGY.  SI  5 

Mar.  2 — Gen.  Sheridan  attacks  Gen.  Early  between  Statmton  and  \Vaynes- 
boro',  Va.,  and  completely  routed  him,  capturing  nearly  1,700  of 
his  troops. 

'•    4: — President  Lincoln  is  inaugurated  on  his  second  term. 
••    9_Verniont  ratified  the  13th  Amendment  of  the  United  States  Con- 
stitution. 

"  14 — Gen.  Sherman  destroys  the  great  Rebel  Arsenal,  with  much  ma- 
chinery, at  Fayetteville,  N.  C. 
"  15 — At  this  date  it  was  estimated  that  more  than  60,000  Union  soldiers 

had  been  starved  to  death  in  Rebel  prisons. 

"  16 — The  battle  of  Averysboro',  between  a  portion  of  Sherman's  army, 
and  the  Rebels  under  Gen.  Hardee.  Our  loss  was  nearly  1,000 
men.  At  night  Hardee's  troops  ran  away. 

"  18 — The  Rebel  Congress  adjourns  sine  die, — sine  nocte,  sine  every 
thing — never  to  meet  again.  One  of  its  last  acts  was  the  passage 
of  a  law  for  raising  a  negro  force,  but  it  was  too  late. 
"  19— Battle  at  Bentonsville,  west  of  Goldsboro,  N.  C.,  between  Rebel 
Gen.  Johnson's  infantry  of  30,000  men  and  Gen.  Slocum's  wing  of 
Gen.  Sherman's  army.  This  battle  lasted  all  day,  but  Slocum  held 
the  field. 

"  25 — Rebels  under  Gen.  Gordon  attack  and  take  Fort  Steadman,  near 
Petersburg,  Va. ;  but  we  soon  retook  it,  capturing  over  1,700 
Rebels,  and  defeated  their  whole  force. 

"  28— Gen.  Grant's  lines  before  Richmond  extend  thirty-nine  miles,  and 
well  fortified  all  the  way. 

At  the  close  of  this  month,  we  may  make  this  general  remark : 
Gen.  Grant  had  laid  with  his  army  before  Richmond  for  a  long 
time,  and  now  Gen.  Sherman's  army  from  the  South  had 
arrived,  or  was  near  at  hand,  and  so  had  Gen.  Sheridan's  from 
the  Shenandoah  Valley.  The  Rebel  Gen.  Lee  was  hemmed  in, 
and  it  was  clearly  seen  that  Secession  and  Rebellion  had  been 
"  weighed  in  the  balance,  and  found  wanting,''  and  that  their 
end  drew  nigh. 
April  1 — Gen.  Sheridan's  forces  capture  6,000  Rebels  and  fifteen  guns 

to-day. 
"     2— The  Rebels  in  the  night  blow  up  at  Richmond  their  forts  and 

rams,  preparatory  to  evacuating  the  city. 

"  2 — Gen.  Lee,  the  Rebel  commander,  evacuates  Richmond  and  Peters- 
burg, in  consequence  of  an  attack  all  along  Gen.  Grant's  line. 
Lee  retreated  westward,  with  his  army  utterly  demoralized.  The 
power  of  the  Southern  Confederacy  was  gone,  and  our  great  civil 
war  virtually  finished.  Jeff.  Davis,  his  family,  and  some  of  his  late 
cabinet,  fled  from  Richmond. 

The  same  day,  Gen.  Wilson  attacks  the  Rebel  Gen.  Forrest,  who 
held  the  defenses  at  Selma,  Ala.,  with  7,000  troops ;  they  were 
utterly  routed,  after  one  hour's  fight.  Wilson  took  the  town, 
with  2,000  prisoners,  100  guns,  stores,  etc. 

"  3 — The  Union  black  troops,  under  Gen.  Weitzel,  enter  and  take  pos- 
session of  Richmond.  On  the  same  day  the  Union  troops  enter 
Petersburg.  When  the  Rebels  left  Richmond  they  set  fire  to  it  and 
burnt  a  large  portion  of  the  city.  The  "  Richmond  Whig  "  quotes 
flour  at  $9UO  to  $1,000  per  barrel,  corn  at  $100  per  bushel,  and 
butter  at  $20  per  &.,  in  Confederate  money. 

"  4 — Gen.  Grant  pursues  after  Gen.  Lee.  In  this  fight  and  "  skedaddle," 
Lee  lost  50,000  men  in  killed,  wounded,  deserters,  etc.,  etc. 


516  CHRONOLOGY. 

April  4— Gen.  \Veitzel  reports  that  he  took  in  llichmond  28  locomotives, 
150  cars,  500  caniion,  5,000  stand  of  arms,  with  1,000  well  and  5,000 
sick  prisoners. 

"  4 — Jeff.  Davis  issues  a  proclamation  from  Danville,  N.  C.,  claiming 
that  the  Eebel  cause  was  not  hopeless,  and  urges  further  re- 
sistance ! ! ! 

"  8— A  correspondence  between  Gens.  Grant  and  Lee  respecting  the 
surrender  of  the  Rebel  army  is  carried  on  to-day. 

•«  8 — Gen.  Canby's  troops  capture  Spanish  Fort,  near  Mobile,  by 
assault,  with  25  officers,  25  guns,  and  over  500  men. 

41  Gen.  Lee  surrenders  his  army  to  Gen.  Grant,  by  the  name  of  the 
Army  of  Northern  Virginia. 

•«  10 — Gen.  Lee  issues  his  farewell  address  to  his  army,  congratulating 
them  upon  faithfully  discharging  their  duty  to  their  country !  ! ! 

41    10— The  liebels  evacuate  Mobile. 

"  11— The  parolling  of  Lee's  troops  begins  to-day ;  but  all  but  about 
18,000  had  run  away. 

44  12— Gen.  Stoneman  defeats  the  Rebel  force  defending  Salisbury,  N.  C., 
and  occupies  the  place,  capturing  and  destroying  7,000  bales  of 
cotton,  with  a  million  rounds  of  ammunition,  and  an  arsenal. 

•'    12— Gen.  Canby's  troops  enter  Mobile  without  resistance. 

"  13 — The  official  report  of  Lee's  surrender  in  men  and  property,  was 
stated  at  20,115  men,  15,918  small  arms,  159  cannon,  1,100  wagons, 
and  4,000  horses. 

41  14 — President  Lincoln  assassinated  by  J.  Wilkes  Booth  in  Ford's 
Theatre. 

"  14 — One  of  Booth's  confederates,  by  the  name  of  Powell,  gets  into 
Mr.  Seward's  room  and  stabs  him  while  in  bed. 

"  14 — Gen.  Anderson,  who  four  years  ago  was  obliged  to  surrender 
Fort  Sumter,  to-day  hoists  the  United  States  flag  in  the  same  place 
from  which  it  had  been  lowered  when  it  surrendered  to  the 
Rebels  in  1861. 

44  15 — President  Lincoln  died  at  twenty-two  minutes  past  seven  tniB 
morning. 

"    15 — Andrew  Johnson,  the  Vice-President,  sworn  in  as  President. 

44  15 — The  United  States  7.30  bonds  were  yesterday  and  to-day  sub- 
scribed for  to  the  amount  of  over  $9,000,000,  such  was  the  confi- 
dence in  our  Government,  notwithstanding  the  President's 
death. 

"  1C — The  whole  country  was  in  mourning  for  Lincoln's  death,  by  every 
demonstration  of  sorrow  which  could  be  shown. 

"  18 — Paine,  or  Powell,  who  attempted  to  assassinate  Secretary  Sew- 
ard,  was  arrested  at  Mrs.  Surratt's  house  in  Washington.  Mrs. 
Surratt  was  also  arrested. 

44  18 — Gen.  Sherman  agrees  to  a  basis  of  peace  with  the  Rebel  Gen. 
Johnson,  which  was  approved  of  by  Jeff.  Davis  and  Brecken- 
ridge. 

44  19 — Funeral  ceremonies  of  President  Lincoln  are  performed  at 
Washington. 

41    21— Lincoln's  body  lies  in  State  in  Baltimore. 

"  21 — Gen.  Sherman's  terms  made  with  Johnson  for  peace  were  disap- 
proved of  by  the  Cabinet,  and  orders  sent  for  him  to  resume 
hostilities. 

"  23— The  body  of  President  Lincoln  lies  in  State  at  Philadelphia,  and 
was  visited  by  an  immense  concourse  of  people. 


CHRONOLOGY.  517 

April  24— It  arrives  in  New  York. 

'»  24 — Gen.  Grant  arrives  at  Gen.  Sherman's  head-quarters,  when  word 
was  sent  to  Gen.  Johnson  that  no  civil  matters  could  be  treated 
of  with  him. 

"  25 — Great  military  and  civic  procession  in  New  York  on  the  removal 
of  Lincoln's  remains  westward.  Some  say  there  were  over  700.000 
people  out  to  see  it. 

"  26— Booth,  the  assassin  of  Lincoln,  and  Harold,  his  confederate,  cap- 
tured in  a  barn  three  miles  from  Port  Royal,  Va.  Harold  surren- 
dered ;  Booth  refused,  and  showed  fight,  when  Sergeant  Corbett 
shot  him  in  the  neck,  and  he  died  four  hours  afterwards.  "  The 
way  of  the  transgressor  is  hard.1' 

"  26— Gen.  Johnson  surrenders  to  Gen.  Grant  all  the  Rebel  troops  from 
Virginia  to  Chattahoochee  River  on  the  same  terms  granted  to 
Gen.  Lee. 

"  28 — The  steamboat  "Sultana,"  with  over  2,000  persons  on  board, 
mostly  United  States  soldiers,  blew  up  on  the  Mississippi  River, 
near  Memphis  ;  not  more  than  700  of  all  these  were  saved. 

"  29— The  arms  and  military  stores  of  Gen.  Johnson's  army  are 
delivered  up  to  the  United  States  at  Greensboro. 

Here,  in  the  month  of  April,  1865,  just  four  yesrs  from  its  commence- 
ment, ended  the  great  Civil  War  in  the  United  States,  unsurpassed  either  in 
ancient  or  modern  times,  in  expensiveness,  in  the  loss  of  blood,  in  tho 
destruction  of  property,  and  in  results  which  have  and  which  must  hereafter 
follow. 

And  here,  at  this  eventful  period,  we  close  our  UNITED  STATES 
CHRONOLOGY. 


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